Irked by the decision of President Bola Tinubu and leaders of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to use military force against the coup plotters in Niger Republic, the Northern Senators Forum has warned the regional leaders to apply caution.
The senators insisted that military deployment should not be contemplated for now until all diplomatic avenues are exhausted.
Persecondnews recalls that on July 30 ECOWAS led by Nigeria’s President Tinubu had given the coup plotters in Niger Republic a seven-day ultimatum to restore constitutional democracy or face some sanctions, including possible military invasion.
Tinubu had on August 4 written to the National Assembly to inform the lawmakers about the resolutions of the ECOWAS leaders and also sought approval for the deployment of Nigerian troops to the troubled Niger.
The senators warned that any military intervention by ECOWAS will result in casualties among the innocent citizens and urged that diplomatic option should be explored to resolve the political crisis in Niger Republic.
The spokesman for the forum
Sen. Suleiman Kawu (NNPP-Kano), told newsmen in Abuja on Friday that the National Assembly should not approve Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian solders to enforce the ECOWAS resolution in Niger.
“The forum under the leadership of Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), has noted with concern and condemn in entirety the unfortunate development in Niger Republic where the military forcefully upstaged a democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
“The Northern Senators also take cognizance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our dear President, Bola Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic.
“The emphasis however, is that we should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in Niger Republic,” Kawu said.
He also declared: “We also take exception to use of the of military force until other avenues as mentioned above are exhausted as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who go about their daily business.
“Besides, about seven northern states who share border with Niger Republic namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno will be negatively affected.
“We are also aware of the situation of Mali, Burkina Faso and Libya, which may affect the seven northern states, if military force is used.”
According to the Northern senators, there will be serious implications for Nigeria if military force was applied without exhausting all diplomatic channels.
Specifically to their colleagues in the National Assembly, the dissenting senators said: “As democrats and representatives of the people, we hereby urge our colleagues to observe due diligence in invoking section 5 sub section (4) (a) and (b).”
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