*Urges Tinubu, ECOWAS To Seek Diplomatic Intervention
The Senate has washed its hands off reports of military action against the Coup plotters in Niger, warning President Bola Tinubu and Heads of States of member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to explore diplomatic, not military means, in intervening in the political impasse in the country.
The Red Chamber in an extraordinary session on Saturday also commended President Bola Tinubu for not seeking its backing for a military action in the troubled West African State.
Arising from a closed session, the Upper Chamber called on the Nigerian President to rally other Heads of States in the West African subregion to explore diplomatic options to resolve the political impasse in the landlocked country.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, while reading out the resolutions reached by the lawmakers in the executive session, condemned the coup d’etat, adding that “the leadership of the Senate is mandate to engage with the president and commander in chief on behalf of the entire Senate and the National Assembly on how best to resolve the issues in view of the hitherto cordial relationship between Nigerians and Nigeriens.”
He also recognised that President Tinubu did not ask for Senate’s approval to go to war “as erroneously suggested in some quarters,” as he noted that the President only expressed a wish to solicit the lawmaker’s support to implement the ECOWAS resolution on the matter.
He called on President Tinubu as Head of ECOWAS to explore alternatives to return the neighbouring West African State to “democratic governance in the nearest future,” as the Senate called on the ECOWAS parliament “to rise to the occasion by equally condemning this coup and also positing solutions to resolving this empasse as soon as possible.”
Recall that the President, Bola Tinubu, on Friday wrote to the Red Chamber in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of States, seeking support to invoke the relevant charters of the subregional body on the crisis.
Part of the letter read; “Following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of the administration of His Excellency, President Mohammed Bazoum on 26 July 2023, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 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, and in a bid to broker peace and restore democracy in the country, the State and Government on Sunday, 30 July 2023, in Abuja, the body consistent with African Union and ECOWAS Protocols on unconstitutional changes in Government, therealter issued Communique (copy attached) on the line of action decided upon by member States.
“As Chair of ECOWAS, Nigeria has the obligation to lead in the implementation of the directives outlined in the Communique and, as such, steps have been taken to give effect to the resolutions, therein.
“Accordingly, the Distinguished Senate is invited to note the foregoing and the following actions expected of Ministries.
“Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies, including Military and Para-Military Agencies. These actions include closure and monitoring of all land borders with Niger Republic and reactivation of the Border Drill Exercise. Cutting off Electricity supply to Niger Republic,” among others.
