President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, July 17, has joined President Barrack Obama and other world leaders in condemning the unsuccessful coup attempt in Turkey by a group of rebel army officers and men.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President believes that forceful removal of a democratic government in this century is barbaric.

Reacting to the events in Ankara, Istanbul and other centres, Buhari said he was saddened by attempt to forcefully overthrow the democratically elected government of Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey.

“The removal of a democratic government by force is no longer acceptable. Violence can never solve any problem but only complicates them and sets back the progress of democratic societies,” he said

He added that all stakeholders should resist the “destabilisation of democratic countries through coups d’état  in the 21st century.”

“Democracy provides peaceful options of changing governments through the ballot box. The ballot box doesn’t require violence to remove any government perceived to have lost its popularity and public support.

“Despite its limitations, democracy is still better and more durable than a violent change of government,” Buhari added.

The President praised the courage and immediate response of ordinary citizens who in face of guns and tanks defied the rebel soldiers and forced them to abandon their quest for power.

Buhari called on the President of Turkey to pursue reconciliation and offered Nigeria’s support to the government and people of Turkey in their hour of trial.

Azeez