President Umaru Yar'Adua who is also Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said he was disturbed by reports of alleged attempts to effect succession in the leadership of Guinea following the death of the country's president, Lansana Conte.

He said the act marks a clear violation of that country's constitution and a breach of the African Union Consultative Act as well as the Provisions of the ECOWAS Charter.

In a statement in Abuja by Minister of Information and Communication, Dora Akunyili, the President was said to have unequivocally condemned any unconstitutional take-over of power in Guinea and warned that any government that emerges through undemocratic means would not be recognised.

The minister said the President "received with great shock, the news of the unfortunate demise of President Lansana Conte and demanded that democratic order be restored in Guinea immediately and that succession through any unconstitutional means should not be allowed to evolve".

Yar'Adua assured that Nigeria is following developments in that country closely with a view to ensuring that the political situation does not deteriorate.