The Nigerian Senate has disagreed with President Tinubu-Led ECOWAS and other West African leaders’ move to use military approach in quelling the tension in Niger Republic, demanding that they be cautious with their decision.
Following an extensive closed-door session, lasting about two hours, to discuss President Bola Tinubu’s letter concerning the regional body’s decisions, the Senate urged ECOWAS to reinforce political and diplomatic strategies, along with other avenues, in order to address the political situation in Niger Republic.
While condemning the coup in Niger, the Senate lauded President Bola Tinubu, the chairman of ECOWAS, and other Heads of State from member countries for their prompt actions and unwavering stances towards resolving the developments in Niger Republic.
Reading the resolutions of the senators after the meeting, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said that ‘the Senate recognises that President Tinubu via his correspondence has not asked for the approval of the parliament of this Senate to go to war as erroneously suggested in some quarters.’
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‘Rather Mr President has expressed a wish to respectfully solicit the support of the National Assembly in the successful implementation of the resolutions of the ECOWAS as outlined in the said communication.’
‘The Senate calls on the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the chairman of ECOWAS to further encourage other leaders of ECOWAS to strengthen political and diplomatic options and other means intending to resolve the political compass in Niger Republic.’
‘The National Assembly to the ECOWAS under the leadership of President Tinubu in resolving the political situation in Niger and returning the country to democratic governance in the nearest future.’
‘The leadership of the Senate is mandated to further engage with the president and commander in chief with on behalf of the Senate and the entire National Assembly on how best to resolve the issue given the hitherto existing cordial relationship between Nigerieans and Nigerians.’
‘Finally, the Senate calls on the ECOWAS parliament to rise to the occasion by equally condemning this coup and also positing solutions to resolving this compass as soon as possible.’