Senate Overules President Tinubu, Says No To Military Action In Niger Republic

By Ayodele Oni

Apparently gauging the mood of the nation and mixed reactions which have been trailing President Bola Tinubu’s request for senate approval to send troops to Niger Republic, there are indications that the Senators have rejected the request.

President  Tinubu had on Friday sought for permission of the green chamber to deploy Nigerian troops to Niger Republic as part of an ECOWAS force to reinstate the democratically elected president of the country.

Considering the urgency of the request, members of the green chamber sat at an executive session on Saturday, during which they rejected the request by the President.

Although, executive session is held behind closed door, sources revealed that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, reportedly tried unsuccessfully to rally the Senators to support the President’s request.

A group of Northern Senators had, on Friday, resolved not to support the request considering the closeness of their states to Niger Republic. Some of them share boundaries.

Quoting one of those at the meeting, Senators agreed to pass a resolution condemning the coup and to commend ECOWAS leaders on their efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger, but they ruled out military options.

“Almost all the Senators spoke and totally ruled out the military options because of many factors and also because of the harmonious relationship that Nigeria and Niger has always enjoyed.

“Senators instead urged President Tinubu to intensify negotiation with the coup leaders by again sending a high-powered delegation to Niamey.

Those that were opposed to forceful action pointed out that our military is highly ill-equipped and not prepared to fight any war.

They said that we have fragile peace in Nigeria and that Niger is the highest arms market in Africa.

A resolution on the issue is being expected.