TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari would on Tuesday host a special summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address the crisis in Burkina Faso.

The president made this known in a statement through Garba Shehu, his special assistant on media and publicity.

“President Muhammadu Buhari will host an extraordinary summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) authority of heads of state and government tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22, in Abuja,” the statement read.

“The main item on the agenda of the summit is the current political situation in Burkina Faso.”

Buhari had earlier condemned the coup in the west African nation, calling on the nation to stick with the plan to go to the polls in October.

“President Buhari and Nigeria urge the defence and security forces of Burkina Faso to keep faith with the agreed transitional programme for the return of the country to full democratic rule after elections, which were due to be held in the country on October 11,” a statement issued by Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, had read.

Adesina further revealed that Nigeria was supporting the country with 20 pick-up vans donated to the National Electoral Commission of Burkina Faso.

President Boni Yayi of Benin on Saturday said Burkina Faso will return to civilian rule and an interim government led by President Michel Kafando will be reinstated.