By Gideon Njoku
President Bola Tinubu’s letter to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, seeking approval for a Military intervention to restore Civilian rule in neighbouring Niger Republic, may suffer a defeat.
Tinubu had, on Friday, against, all expectations, and advice from a number of well-meaning Nigerians, written to the Senate to permit his Government to intervene in Niger Republic to flush out the Soldiers who toppled elected President Mohammed Bazoum from office, and are holding him and members of his family incommunicado at the Presidential Palace.
Earlier, Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Heads of Government of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, had, in agreement with his brother-Heads of State, given the junta a seven-day ultimatum to restore democracy. The junta ignored the ultimatum, ignored the tough economic sanctions against its regime, and shunned a delegation sent by Tinubu, led by former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar to dialogue with its leaders.
As a last resort, President Tinubu wrote to the Senate, seeking a Military option. However, Tinubu’s request is likely to fail at the Senate as Northern Senators who are in the majority have rallied against it.
In a Press Release issued in Abuja on Friday, the Northern Caucus in the Senate warned against the Military option, and frowned against the “economic and other sanctions” against Niger Republic.
Insisting that they take exception to the Military option which would result in fatalities amongst the innocent civilian populace, the Caucus, in the Release signed by its Spokesperson, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, added that Northern States which share borders “with Niger Republic, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno will be negatively affected.”
The Senators envisage “serious implication for our country if military force is used without exhausting all the diplomatic channels.” They, also, noted: “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.”
They urged their colleagues in the Senate to ” observe due diligence in invoking section 5 sub section (4) (a) and(b) of 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.”
Following is the full text of the Press Release.
“NORTHERN NIGERIAN SENATORS RESPONSE TO THE NIGER REPUBLIC COUP.
“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 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 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. 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 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.
“Sen. Suleiman A. Kawu Sumaila, OFR, PhD. Spokesperson Northern Senators Forum”
Both Mali and Burkina Faso, incidentally ECOWAS Countries, but which are under Military Regimes, have warned that they would take any Military action against Niger Republic as a declaration of war against them as well.
Buoyed by the support of both countries, the seeming tacit support by Russia, and a seeming support by majority of Nigerien citizens, the Junta is talking, and acting tough. It has, reportedly, severed diplomatic relationships with Nigeria, United States of America, and France, Niger Republic’s former Colonial masters, which Embassy in Niamey, has been torched.
