Mugabe: Buhari wants constitution respected in Zimbabwe

FOLLOWING reports of the ouster and detention of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, President Muhammadu Buhari has called for calm, peace and respect for the constitution in the Southern African country.

According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday, the president urged all political and military stakeholders in Zimbabwe to avoid any action that may plunge the country into unnecessary conflict and impact negatively on the region.

He admonished that “every attempt must be made to resolve all contentious issues by constitutional means in Zimbabwe to save the country from avoidable political instability.”

The statement noted that Buhari’s appeal by the Nigerian leader came in the wake of reported “military takeover” as a result of rising political tension in the southern African country sequel to President Robert Mugabe’s recent removal of former Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Presidency recalled that this led to the threat by the head of the Armed Forces of Zimbabwe, General Constantino Chiwenga, that “the military will not hesitate to step in” when the issue had to do with protecting the “revolution.”