August 03, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, wrote to the Senate seeking its approval for Nigeria’s implementation of resolutions of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) on the military junta in Niger Republic.
The request was contained in a letter read at plenary on Friday, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, in the letter, told the Senate that the country was embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigerians on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.
The letter reads: “I present my modest compliments to the distinguished Senate President and distinguished senators.
“I do have the honour to inform you that, following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic, culminating in the overthrow of the administration of His Excellency President Mohammed Bazoum on 26 July 2023, the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), under my leadership, condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved alongside other members of the international community to seek the return of a democratically elected government in Niger.
“Consequently, in a bid to broker peace and restore democracy in the country, ECOWAS conveyed an extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of States and governments on July 30 in Abuja.
“The body, consistent with Africa Union (AU) and ECOWAS protocols on constitutional changes of government, thereafter, issued a communique on the line of action decided upon by member states.
“As Chair of ECOWAS, Nigeria has the obligation to lead in the implementation of the directive outlined in the communique and such resolved as follows:
“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with Niger Republic and reactivation of the border drilling exercise.
“Cutting off Electricity supply to 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.
“Embarking on sensitization of Nigerians and Nigerians on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.
“Military build-up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.”
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