By Ayo Yusuf
As war looms with the defiant military regime that has taken over the government in Niger Republic, President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate for permission to deploy soldiers against the junta.
He also sought the backing of the legislature to cut off of electricity supply to that country until the situation has been brought under control.
It would be recalled that Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was toppled by his guards who have since placed him under house arrest.
Mr. Tinubu, Nigeria’s president and the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, had on Sunday met with some ECOWAS leaders to discuss appropriate ways to restore democracy in Niger.
The leaders of the West African regional bloc held an extraordinary meeting of the heads of states and government to discuss sanctions to be placed against the military personnel which toppled Bazoum on July 26, 2023.
The President’s letter read, “Political situation in Niger. Following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected govt in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.”
The president further sought support for, “Military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.
Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.
“Cutting off Electricity supply to the Niger Republic, mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique.”
“Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic; Blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports,” he added.
Mr. Tinubu also told the Senate that the country was embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.
Northern Leaders Say No to War
The sensitization has become crucial following the recent decision by the Northern leadership under the aegis of Arewa Consultative Forum to oppose President Tinubu’s decision to go to war with the Niger military junta.
In a statement issued by its General Secretary, Murtala Aliyu, on Friday the group called for dialogue to resolve the issue instead.
According to ACF, military deployment and intervention to remove the coup plotters in the Niger Republic will not guarantee peace and stability in the ECOWAS sub-region.
