August 05, (THEWILL) – The Northern Senators Forum has cautioned President Bola Tinubu and leaders of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), against military intervention in Niger Republic.
The ECOWAS, led by Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, last Sunday, issued a 7-day ultimatum to the coup plotters in Niger Republic to restore elected President, Mohammed Bazoum, to power or face serious measures including possible military invasion.
President Tinubu had on Friday, written to the National Assembly, seeking approval for Nigeria’s implementation of the resolution of the ECOWAS leaders.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja, Spokesperson for the forum, Suleiman Kawu (NNPP-Kano), warned the National Assembly against approving Tinubu’s bid to send Nigeria’s solders to enforce the ECOWAS resolution in Niger.
Warning that military intervention by ECOWAS will result in casualties among the innocent citizens, the Northern Senators’ Forum, said the diplomatic option should exhaustively be explored to tackle the problem of the coup in Niger Republic.
“The forum under the leadership of Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), has noted with concern and condemn in entirety the unfortunate development in Niger Republic where the military forcefully upstaged a democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
“The Northern Senators also take cognizance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our dear President, Bola Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic.
“The emphasis however, is that we should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in 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 share border 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.
“As democrats and representatives of the people, we hereby urge our colleagues to observe due diligence in invoking section 5 sub section (4) (a) and (b)”, he said, warning that there would be serious implication for Nigeria if military force was considered without exhausting all diplomatic channels.
