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Niger’s political impasse splits ECOWAS parliament
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament was yesterday divided over how best to address the political impasse caused by the coup in Niger Republic.
This is as hundreds of Nigerians yesterday took to the streets of Kano in protest against ECOWAS’ plans to declare war against the coupists in Niger Republic.
The Nigerian Embassy in Niger Republic has also denied a viral report that its embassy was taken over by angry protesters in Niamey, the Nigerien capital, clarifying that an attempt by the protesters to set the embassy ablaze was foiled.
While some members of the ECOWAS parliament advocated actions that would stem military intrusion into governance within the region, others said dialogue and diplomacy were the best ways to solve the crisis.
The positions were taken when the 22 parliamentarians held an extraordinary meeting, virtually, to discuss the Niger Republic impasse.
West Africa’s regional bloc on Thursday ordered the activation of a standby force for possible use against the junta that took power in Niger in July, saying it wanted a peaceful restoration of democracy but all options including force were on the table.
The members, who were against military action, put forward the fate that could befall the masses if the country was invaded by forces trying to dislodge the coupists.
Ali Djibo from Niger Republic said already no fewer than 9,000 schools have been shut since the crisis, adding that the best solution was dialogue and that military action had never been the best option anywhere in the world.
Djibo said: “War will only compound the economic woes the peoples of the sub-region are already going through.
“As we speak, over a thousand trucks, loaded with goods, are stranded at the border.
“If a coup happened in Nigeria or Cote’d’Iviore tomorrow, where’s the ECOWAS going to mobilise troops to fight the Nigerian or Ivorian military? How many borders are we going to close?
“We must also bear in mind that if we are applying the ECOWAS treaty, it should apply to all.”
Two others, who spoke against a military invasion of Niger Republic were Hon. Idris Wase and Senator Ali Ndume.
Wase, the first Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of ECOWAS, berated President Bola Tinubu, the ECOWAS Chairman.
He accused the President of unilaterally closing the Nigerian-Niger border and cutting electricity without the approval of the Nigerian National Assembly.
Wase added: “When the Russia-Ukraine war started, people thought it was to be a sharp war.
“A year after, the war is still lingering on with the attendant economic squander and wanton destruction of lives and properties.
“The sub-regional military chiefs knows what they stand to benefit economically. That’s why they’re eager to militarily intervene in Niger. Most of them are corrupt.
“Any war on Niger will have adverse effects on 60% of Nigeria, especially Northern Nigeria.
On his part, Senator Ndume said: “We are the representatives of the people. Whatever action that must be taken should be dependent on what our people want.
“The ECOWAS Chairman, President Tinubu, wrote the Nigerian Senate on the planned military intervention in Niger and the Red Chamber vehemently opposed the use of force. They prefer, instead, dialogue should be adopted in resolving the impasse.
“President Tinubu has no right to close the Niger-Nigeria border, cut electricity without the approval of the Nigerian National Assembly.
“It is not the Niger junta that are suffering the sanctions, rather it is innocent people.”
For Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante (Rivers), ECOWAS must pay keen attention and treat the root causes of coup in ECOWAS countries.
Members of the ECOWAS Parliament rooting for a military solution to the Niger Republic matter said dialogue and diplomacy had not tamed the spread of coup in West Africa.
One of them was Linda Ikpeazu, who said because there were no consequences in the past, especially in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, hence the Niger Republic situation.
She stressed that with the current situation in the sub-region, nobody knows which country will be the next.
Adebayo Balogun, in his contribution, said ECOWAS Heads of States were not proposing a full-scale war, but a military action to dislodge the junta.
He recalled that Niger was a signatory to ECOWAS’ revised protocol on non-military intervention.
Also, Bashir Dawodu said he believed that while dialogue is being pursued, the body should be opened to military options to put pressure on the coupists.
He also reminded those who are banking on the support of Russia to defend the juntas that Russia alone cannot defend them. He stressed while diplomacy and dialogue are going on, there must also be the heat of military intervention.
Meanwhile, he pointed out, those banking on Russia to defend the junta should know that Russia alone cannot do it.
However, ECOWAS Parliament has appointed Nigeria’s lawmaker, Wase to lead 10 other parliamentarians to mediate with Nigerien junta.
This is a last ditch attempt by the subregional body parliamentary body to prevent military confrontation with the Nigerien military who forcibly took power from President Mohamed Bazoum.
The ad hoc committee, which, is to be led by the First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Hon. Wase, is mandated to apart from the task in Niger, saddled with the responsibility of interfacing with the military juntas in Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso to accelerate the return to democratic rule in those countries as well.
This move was part of the parliamentary option of diplomacy, to support the mediation effort of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, in sustaining democratic governance in the subregion.
It was part of resolutions reached at the end of the Virtual Extra Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament, convened by the Speaker, Sidie Tunis to deliberate on the Niger political crisis.
The committee is to report back to the parliament for further legislative actions.
During the plenary, a Nigerian MP, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, urged ECOWAS to look beyond the surface in finding lasting solution to the Niger political impasse.
She had warned that the support the coupists in Niger enjoy from the citizens should not be taken for granted.
She said: “Let us look back and be circumspect. Our people are copycat, and they like to copy bad things. We need to dig deep to find out the real reason for the coup.”
She also posited that: “We need to legislate on the issue of coup d’etat to forestall future occurrence.”
MPs have appealed to ECOWAS Authority to relax the sanctions so that those it is made to protect should not die of diseases and starvation.
The Parliament also mooted the idea of engaging the super powers who had been fingered to be behind the crisis in Niger, so as to find a middle ground in resolving the crisis permanently.
Wase is given the task of leading 10 other members to Niger on the mediation duty.
Other notable members include Hon. Ibrahima from Togo, Hon. Edwin Melvin Snowe from Liberia, Hon. Foutoumatta Njai from The Gambia, and Senator Ali Ndume from Nigeria.
Representatives from Senegal, Ghana, Cape Verde, Benin Republic, and Guinea Bissau are also part of the committee.
Hundreds Protest in Kano against Planned Military Action
Meanwhile, hundreds of Nigerians yesterday took to the streets of Kano in protest against ECOWAS’ plans to declare war against the coupists in Niger Republic.
The protesters, who embarked on a procession on the streets expressed their displeasure at the planned military invasion of Niger and chanted various slogans to voice their concerns.
Recall that the ECOWAS had directed the military forces of its member states to be on standby.
The protesters were seen chanting songs such as “War against Niger is injustice,” “It is the handiwork of America,” “It is the handiwork of westerners,” “It is Islam that we want,” “It is Justice that we want,” and “Niger is ours” among other songs.
The protesters were also displaying the Nigerian and Nigerien flags alongside placards.
Military, Police Foil Attempt by Protesters to Burn Nigerian Embassy in Niger
In a related development, the Nigerian Embassy in Niger Republic has denied a viral report that its embassy was taken over by angry protesters in Niamey, the Nigerien capital.
A statement signed by Liti Auwalu for the Nigeria Ambassador to Niger explained that even though the protesters tried to gain access to the embassy, the Nigerien military and police managed the situation, adding that the embassy is well guarded.
The statement read: “It has been brought to our notice that fake videos showing the torching of the Chancery Building in Niamey by protesters are circulating on various social media platforms.
News
2027 Election: “Tell Tinubu This”, – Primate Ayodele Sends Strong Warning To Tinubu In New Prophecy
Prophet Ayodele has consistently been in the news week in, week out. It is either he is releasing a fresh prophecy that’s gaining traction or a previous prohecy has just come to fulfilment and people are talking about it.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele stated that the present administration is full of wrong advisers who are pushing for irrelevant policies, and making good advisers enemies of the president.
The prophet warned the president against making good advisers his enemies, as it will lead to the end of his government if care isn’t taken.
“Tinubu’s administration is full of wrong advisers; they are turning him against his good advisers, and he will make them his enemies. He is creating enemies, and those whom he thinks love him would be his worst enemies.
“There are lots of irrelevant policies they are using to kill Tinubu’s government; these are policies that will build up massive protests against the government and division. He should do the needful; there are several irrelevant policies already, but the focus ought to be on what will make people happy. “
Primate Ayodele mentioned some things the president should focus on, and they include development and surplus for the people. He stated that road construction is good, but it’s not enough for the people.
He commended the president for his efforts on insecurity but urged him to do more.
“Tinubu should focus on development, on how to create surplus for the people. Road construction is good, but it’s not the only thing people need; he needs to look into other areas.
“On insecurity, he is doing well, but he should do more, activate forest security in order to end kidnapping. He should increase the salaries of national assembly members because it will turn the nation into chaos. He should also eradicate darkness, and not add more tariffs and taxes to basic things in the country.”
What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange rate at the black market also known as the parallel market (Aboki fx)?
See the black market Dollar to Naira exchange rate for yesterday 13th September, below. You can swap your dollar for Naira at these rates.
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1520 and sell at N1550 yesterday 13th September 2025, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC). …CLICK LINK TO CONTINUE READING
What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange rate at the black market also known as the parallel market (Aboki fx)?
See the black market Dollar to Naira exchange rate for yesterday 11th September, below. You can swap your dollar for Naira at these rates.
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1525 and sell at N1550 yesterday 12th September 2025, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC). …CLICK LINK TO CONTINUE READING
Amidst swirling rumors surrounding Oseloka Obi, the son of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for 2023, a new twist has emerged regarding persistent allegations about his gender identity.
In response to a flurry of speculation, Oseloka has taken a stand against the viral claims connecting him to homosexuality, which were sparked by the circulation of photographs featuring him alongside Kent Okwesa, a British-Nigerian based in London. Click link to continue reading.
“We’ve lost two games in a row, it’s not good enough, it’s way too bad,” he said, speaking to Viaplay in Norway. “We need to figure it out, get back to winning ways.
Pep Guardiola’s side are in the bottom half of the Premier League table heading into the clash having lost back-to-back matches against Tottenham and Brighton before the international break. Click link to continue reading.
The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi, has announced a series of changes to some of the long-standing rules of the church, saying many of them were never scriptural but were introduced for administrative purposes.
Pastor Kumuyi, widely regarded as one of the most influential church leaders in the world, is the founder of Deeper Life Bible Church, which began in 1973 as a small Bible study group in Lagos.
Over the decades, the ministry has grown into a global Christian movement. The Lagos headquarters alone attracts over 120,000 worshippers weekly, placing it among the five largest single congregations worldwide. In Nigeria, the church boasts more than one million members with over 5,000 branches, and a further 3,000 branches spread across Africa, Europe, and North America.
Speaking at the church 2025 Global Family and Marriage Conference, Pastor Kumuyi announced modifications to certain marriage rules that had long been regarded as doctrinal. He clarified that many of these practices were never rooted in the Bible but were merely administrative guidelines designed to provide structure.
One of the major changes is the cancellation of the restriction that prevented a lady from visiting her suitor before marriage. According to Kumuyi, intending couples may now visit each other during courtship, provided they are accompanied by an elder. The long-held six-month mandatory courtship period has also been scrapped. “We just felt you need some time to know one another. And then we said one month will be too short, two months too short. So, why not six months? But it is not from the Bible,” he said.
He stated the importance of Christians being able to distinguish between God’s commandments and church traditions.“As a Christian, you need to be so mature that you know the difference between the law of God and the principles in the church. Six months is all right, but it’s not something inflexible. If we change it to three months, we’re not changing the Bible, because six months is not in the Bible,”
Pastor Kumuyi also clarified the role of marriage committees in Deeper Life, noting that their purpose was to provide guidance and not to exercise authority beyond what is written in the scriptures. “There’s no marriage committee in the New Testament. We created it to help you, not because we can give you a chapter and a verse. It is church administration,” he stated.
These changes are seen by people as another step in the ongoing review of church practices that many members and outsiders have often considered too strict. Since founding the church has faced both admiration and criticism for its distinct doctrines. Some of its earlier beliefs and practices have either been misinterpreted or have since evolved:
Technology Use: The church, which once opposed television and modern gadgets, now embraces media and social platforms for evangelism.read the gospel.
Marriage Rules: Inter-church marriages are now accepted, provided the partner is from a Bible-believing church with a holy standard of living.
Dress Code: The church still emphasizes modesty, but women no longer have to tie scarves at all times, and men are not strictly bound to suits.
Medical Treatment: While rumors once suggested Deeper Life discouraged hospital visits, today members are encouraged to seek proper medical care when needed.
Christmas Celebrations: Although many members spend Christmas at church camps, the church has clarified that celebrating Christmas is not forbidden.
Other misconceptions, such as supposed food restrictions or claims that Pastor Kumuyi had relocated to the UK, have also been dispelled.
Through these reforms, Pastor Kumuyi is reinforcing his long-held belief that while order is necessary in the church, it must never be mistaken for scripture.
Source: City People
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