The Nigerian Senate has rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposal for a military intervention to restore democratic rule in Niger Republic.
Tinubu had on Friday, August 4, written to the National Assembly, seeking the lawmakers’ support for the implementation of Resolutions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the political situation in Niger Republic.
On Saturday, August 5, the Senate after a two-hour deliberation behind closed doors, advised the President against using military actions to force the military junta out of power.
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The Senate advised the Nigerian leader who is also the Chairman of the regional bloc, Economic Community of West Africa, ECOWAS, to adopt diplomacy in addressing the toppling of democratic government in Niger Republic.
Announcing that they will be meeting the president over their resolution, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called on Tinubu to further encourage other ECOWAS leaders to strengthen other means with which to resolve the political impasse in Niger.
Akpabio said: “The leadership of the senate is mandated to further engage the President and Commander in Chief on behalf of the senate and the national Assembly on how best to resolve the issue in view of the hitherto existing cordial relationship between Niger and Nigeria.”
ECOWAS had given Niger's coup leaders until Sunday to step down and reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
West African defence chiefs had drawn up a plan for military action if Niger's coup was not overturned by Sunday, the regional bloc said on Friday, after mediation failed in a crisis that threatens regional security and has drawn in global powers.
