Tinubu Never Request War Against Niger – Senate

Upper Chamber of the Nigeria Lawmaking body, the Senate of the National Assembly has dismissed insinuations that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the West Africa country armed forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu requested the Senate approval for deployment of military action to resolve political situation in Niger Republic.

The Senate dismissed the insinuations after the lawmakers passed a resolution for the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to read out the resolutions of the Senate reached at the upper chamber closed door meeting on Saturday sequel to the letter of request submitted before it by President Bola Tinubu over Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS decisions outlined against Niger following the forceful takeover of power by small group of soldiers responsible for the protection of the President on July 26, 2023.

The Senate said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requested the support of the lawmakers for the economic sanctions against Niger which included closing of the Nigeria borders and cutting off electricity supply to the Niger Republic.

The Senate also added that the President asked the senate for the preparation of the Nigeria soldiers and non military personnel for the enforcement of the ECOWAS resolutions and for any eventuality.

Reading the resolutions of the senate at the open chamber, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio said the senate never receive any request from the executive President for war against Niger as erroneously speculated in some quarters.

The Senate President said the Senate commended the Nigeria President and the ECOWAS Chairman, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other heads of ECOWAS governments for their quick response to the unfortunate situation in Niger.

Adding, the Senate resolved that the heads of governments of ECOWAS member countries should continue to look for diplomatic means to settle the Niger political situation.

The Senate in its resolution condemned the forceful takeover of power by the military but kicked against using any military action to tackle the situation.

It would be recalled that President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic was overpowered and held hostage since 26 July in a coup led by his presidential guards.

ECOWAS leaders at a meeting in Abuja few days later gave the coup leaders a seven-day ultimatum which ends today Sunday, August 6, 2023 to restore constitutional order or face the possible use of force. The regional body imposed sanctions on the coup leaders with Nigeria also cutting electricity supplies and closing its borders with the West African nation.

Following the refusal of the coup leaders to backtrack, West African defence chiefs in a meeting held in Abuja said they had drawn a plan for military action as part of which President Tinubu wrote the Senate for support.