Forget ‘War’ Against Niger Coupists – Northern Senators Caution Tinubu, ECOWAS

BY VICTOR BUORO – The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has cautioned the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Economic Commission of West Africa State (ECOWAS) to exercise restraint in its planned military intervention to restore democracy in the Niger Republic.

The warning comes on the heels of an executive communication addressed to the Senate and read on the floor of plenary by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday, August 4, 2023, informing legislators of the proposed ECOWAS’ military action and other sanctions against the Niger Republic Coup Leaders.

Led by Senator Abdul Ahmad Ningi, representing the Bauchi Central Senatorial District on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s platform, the Forum stated that engaging political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in that country would be most productive for all the parties involved.

In a statement by its Spokesperson, Senator Suleiman A. Kawu Sumaila, the NSF warned that forceful military intervention will cause the death of many innocent citizens in the Niger Republic and seven Nigerian States that share borders with the landlocked West African nation.

According to the statement released to the media on Friday, the lawmakers said; “We 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 that share a border with Niger Republic namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno will be negatively affected”.

“There are serious implications for our country if military force is used without exhausting all diplomatic channels”, the Northern Senators cautioned the sub-regional body.

Here is the full statement titled: “NORTHERN NIGERIAN SENATORS’ RESPONSE TO THE NIGER REPUBLIC COUP”

August 4, 2023

Northern Senators condemn Niger coup, caution against use of military power
…advocate diplomatic channel to address situation
…frown at economic, other sanctions.

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 the 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.

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 borders 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. 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 by urging our colleagues to observe due diligence in invoking section 5 sub-section (4) (a) and (b) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.

Sen. Suleiman A. Kawu Sumaila, OFR, PhD.
Spokesperson
Northern Senators Forum