No less than 58 Senators in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have warned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against taking military action in Niger Republic.
A statement released last night by the Northern Senators Forum, however, condemned the military coup that ousted the administration of Mohamed Bazoum in the Niger Republic last week.
The statement which advised the use of diplomatic options in resolving the crisis also frowned at the economic and other sanctions being imposed on Niger by ECOWAS.
Signed by its spokesman, Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, (NNPP, Kano) the Northern Senators Forum under the leadership of Senator Abdul Ahmad Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) stated:
“We, the Northern Senators Caucus of the 10th Senate under the leadership of Sen. Abdul Ahmad Ningi, note with concern and condemn in its entirety the unfortunate development in Niger Republic, where the military forcefully upstaged a democratically elected government of President Mohammed Bazoum”.
“The Northern Senators also take cognizance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our Dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic. The emphasis, however, should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in the Niger Republic.” The statement added.
The Northern Senators further said that “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 shared a border with the 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. There is serious implication for our country if military force is used without exhausting all the diplomatic channels.
As democrats and representatives of the people we are here urging our colleagues to observe due diligence in invoking section 5 sub-section (4) (a) and (b) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.”
