By Mark Orgu, news and Comments, August 5, 2023
ABUJA-The Nigerian Senate has rejected President Bola Tinubu led Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) and its leaders of proposing to use synergy-military force to counter Niger coup plotters, who ousted president Bazoum last week while admonishing that, such action would potent serious danger for Nigeria as a nearby neigbour. It further advised the regional body, (ECOWAS), to strengthen political and diplomatic options and other means to resolve the political compass in Niger Republic, even as they totally condemn the military junta. The Upper Chamber also commended Tinubu and other Heads of State of the other States for their prompt response and the positions towards resolving the political development in Niger Republic. This is coming on the heel of a closed-door session of the senate over Tinubu’s letter sent on Friday with the decision taken by ECOWAS.
President Tinubu’s letter
“The Political situation in Niger. Following the unfortunate political situation in the Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected government.
“In a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique:
“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.
“Cutting off electricity supply to the Niger Republic; mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique.
“Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic; blockade of goods in transit to Niger, especially from Lagos and eastern seaports.
“Embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.
“Military build-up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.”
Senate resolutions
“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.
“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.”
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