The quest by President Bola Tinubu for military intervention against the military junta in the Niger Republic has been greeted with mixed reaction.
The president also sought the backing of the legislature on the cutting off of electricity to the country, weeks after the Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was toppled by his guards.
Tinubu, Nigeria’s president and the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, had on Sunday met with some fellow ECOWAS leaders to discuss appropriate ways to restore democracy in Niger.
The leaders of the West African regional bloc met to discuss sanctions to be placed against the military personnel who toppled Bazoum on July 26, 2023.
The President’s letter read, “Political situation in Niger. Following the unfortunate political situation in 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 govt in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.”
The president further sought support for, “Military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.
“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,” he added.
Tinubu also told the Senate that the country was embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media
Senator Shehu Sani in his reaction said
the Nigerian Senate should NOT approve any military action against Niger Republic.
Sanni who tweeted on his verified tweeter page said “This country should not be plunged into war and eventually stuck in war in the Sahel.President Tinubu shouldn’t allow himself to be misled by foreign powers.Saudi in Yemen,America in Afghanistan and now Russia in Ukraine should teach us a lesson that war doesn’t end in days,weeks or months.”
“Senators should weigh the implications and consequences of their decisions,especially those senators representing states along the Niger Border. Weaponising electricity supplies to Niger is also condemnable.
President Tinubu should continue to explore diplomatic channels and save the lives of those who will be sacrificed.”
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF); former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; legal luminary Femi Falana; ex- naval chief, Suleiman Sa’idu (retd); former Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Almustapha Haruna Jokolo; former Wazirin Katsina, Sani Abubakar Lugga, and prominent columnist and former presidential spokesman, Segun Adeniyi.
They said the best way to go is to use diplomacy, and when it fails, deploy serious sanctions that would compel the coup plotters to rethink and go back to the barracks for democratic authorities to return.
They also emphasised the humanitarian crises that would come with military action, especially for millions of people in northern Nigeria, who have strong affinity, social and economic ties with Niger
