Senate rejects Tinubu’s request for Nigerian/ECOWAS military intervention in troubled Niger, wants ECOWAS to explore diplomatic options
The Senate has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s request for military intervention in the troubled Niger Republic, and rather advised Tinubu who is the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other leaders of the region to adopt equanimity in addressing the political quagmire in the politically troubled Niger Republic.
The Senate on Saturday urged Tinubu to tow the path of diplomatic engagement in the ongoing suspension of democracy in the neighbouring Niger Republic.
The resolution was reached after a four-hour closed-door meeting on the crisis rocking Niger, a West African country.
The lawmakers discussed the letter written to the Senate on Friday, by Tinubu on the decisions taken by the regional body.
The Upper Chamber asked ECOWAS to strengthen political and diplomatic options and other means to resolve the political quagmire in Niger Republic.
The Senate while condemning the Niger coup in totality, commended the chairman, President Bola Tinubu and other Heads of States for their prompt response and the positions taken on the unfortunate development in Niger Republic.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, when reading the resolution of the lawmakers after the meeting, said: “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 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.”
President Mohamed Bazoum, 63, has been held by the coup plotters with his family in his official Niamey residence since 26 July
