Political and Diplomatic

Nigerian president’s war plans for Niger Republic rejected by senate as lawmakers urge political and diplomatic solution

The Nigerian Senate has asked the Chairman of the Economic  Community of  West  African  States,  (ECOWAS) and other leaders of the region to be circumspect in addressing the political impasse in Niger Republic.

The senate after a two hour closed door meeting, asked ECOWAS to strengthen political and diplomatic options and other means to resolve the political crisis in Niger Republic. The lawmakers gathered after President Bola Tinubu sent a request to the senate to approve military action in the neighbouring republic.

The Senate while condemning the Niger coup in totality, commended the chairman, President Bola Tinubu and other Heads of State of the other States of ECOWAS for their prompt response and the positions taken on the unfortunate development in Niger Republic. 

Reading the resolutions of the senators after the meeting,  the President of the Senate, Godswill  Akpabio, said that “the Senate recognises that President Tinubu via his correspondence has not asked for the approval of the parliament of this Senate to go to war as erroneously suggested in some quarters.“

Demonstrators hold placards and Niger’s flags as they gather outside Niger’s embassy in support of the President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum in Paris, France, August 5, 2023. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

Rather Mr President has expressed a wish to respectfully solicit the support of the National Assembly in the successful implementation of the resolutions of the ECOWAS as outlined in the said communication.

 “The Senate calls on the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the chairman of ECOWAS to further encourage other leaders of ECOWAS to strengthen political and diplomatic options and other means intending to resolve the political compass in Niger Republic.“

The National Assembly to the ECOWAS under the leadership of President Tinubu in resolving the political situation in Niger and returning the country to democratic governance in the nearest future. 

“The leadership of the Senate is mandated to further engage with the president and commander in chief with on behalf of the Senate and the entire National Assembly on how best to resolve the issue given the hitherto existing cordial relationship between Nigerieans and Nigerians. 

“Finally, the Senate calls on the ECOWAS parliament to rise to the occasion by equally condemning this coup and also positing solutions to resolving this compass as soon as possible.” Akpabio stressed.

ECOWAS Defence chiefs on Friday ruled out force and opted for a diplomatic solution but a hawk the Permanent Secretary, ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana told newsmen that Tinubu is committed to restoring democracy and peace in Niger.

“Though military intervention is the last option, we are waiting for the call from the authority of heads of state to move out the armed forces by land, sea and air. Once the order comes we will move,” he added.

Also on Friday, the Arewa pressure group, senators and opposition governors met and ruled out military action and opted for peaceful negotiations so as to avoid destabilising the entire Sahel of which seven Nigerian states border.

“The meeting advised the President, Commander in Chief and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to go into any form of war with the Republic of Niger over the recent military coup in the country, rather all tools of dialogue and diplomacy should be further employed.” Chairman of the opposition governors forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said in a communique.

Akowe with reports from Abuja

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