Admin I Friday, August 04, 2023
ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the Nigerian senate seeking endorsement for enforcement of the resolutions of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS on Republic of Niger over recent military coup.
Recall that on 26th July, 2023, the military junta overthrew President President Mohamed Bazoum and installed General Abdourahmane Tchiani as head of State, a development widely condemned by ECOWAS, which has Tinubu as Chairman.
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The letter read on the floor of the senate by Senator Godswill Akpabio is entitled “Implementation of the resolutions of the Economic Committee of West African States (ECOWAS) on the political situation in Niger Republic”
But in summary, Tinubu asked the Nigerian senate to endorse going to war with Niger if the junta fails to see reason to with ECOWAS and other partners to reinstate the ousted Bazoum.
“I present my modest compliments to the Distinguished Senate President and Distinguished Senators. I do have the honour to inform you that following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of His Excellency, President Mohammed Bazoum on 26th July 2023, the Economic Community of West African States under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved alongside other members of the international community to seek the return of the democratically elected Government in Niger.
“Consequently, in a bid to broker peace and restore democracy in the country, the ECOWAS convened an extra-ordinary summit of the authority of Heads of States and Governments on Sunday 30th July, 2023 in Abuja. The body consisted the African Union and ECOWAS Protocols on constitutional changes of Government thereafter issued a communiqué, a copy attached, on the line of action decided upon by Member States.
The letter read: “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.”