Coup d’etat: Senate rejects Tinubu’s planned military action in Niger

In a breaking development, the Nigerian Senate has firmly rejected the option of military operations in neighboring Niger Republic in response to the recent coup d’etat in the country.

Instead, the Senate is calling on the ECOWAS Parliament and other leaders to condemn the overthrow of the democratically elected government and seek a political resolution to the crisis.

The Senate’s decision comes after a request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the chairman of ECOWAS, to implement the resolutions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on the political situation in Niger Republic. The ECOWAS leaders’ communique had threatened military action against any country that forcibly toppled a democratically elected government.

During a closed-door session that lasted over two hours, the Nigerian Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, decided against military intervention and opted for a political solution instead. The Senate expressed its commitment to engage with President Tinubu and explore diplomatic channels to address the political impasse.

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In the aftermath of the Senate’s decision, the Northern Senators Forum also condemned the coup in Niger Republic but rejected the idea of military action against the Junta. The Forum emphasized the need for diplomatic and political means to restore democratic governance in Niger Republic, expressing concerns about potential adverse effects on Nigerian states that share borders with Niger.

Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, the spokesman for the Northern Senators group, urged caution in invoking military force without exhausting all diplomatic channels. He pointed out the potential implications for Nigeria, especially considering the security situation in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Libya.

The Senate’s stance reflects the importance of maintaining a cordial relationship between Nigeria and Niger and highlights the need to resolve the political crisis in the neighboring country through peaceful means. The Senate’s decision aligns with the principles of ECOWAS and seeks to uphold democratic values in the region.

It remains to be seen how ECOWAS Parliament and other leaders will respond to the Senate’s call for a political solution and condemnation of the coup in Niger. As the situation unfolds, Nigeria will continue to play a crucial role in engaging with its neighbors and supporting efforts to restore democratic governance in Niger Republic.