The Senate at the weekend faltered in taking a firm position on the implementation of resolutions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the military coup led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani which ousted a democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum in Niger Republic.
The ECOWAS in its resolution gave the new military leader in Niger a one-week ultimatum to restore constitutional order.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, who read the communique at the end of the Extraordinary Summit on Socio-Political Situation in the Republic of Niger, demanded the immediate release and reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum as the legitimate head of state and government of the Republic of Niger.
They also resolved that in the event ECOWAS’ demands were not met within one week, the leaders said they would take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
“Such measures may include the use of force for this effect. The Chiefs of Defence staff of ECOWAS are to meet immediately,’’ the leaders said.
President Tinubu in a letter addressed to the Senate entitled, “Request for Support in the Implementation of the Resolutions of ECOWAS on the Political Situation in Niger Republic”, which was read on Friday informed the Senate of the far reaching resolutions of leaders of the West African subregion , particularly the involvement of Nigeria which included, “Military build up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.”
Consequent on the correspondence, the Senate on Saturday held a closed door meeting to discuss what it called, “Implementation of Resolutions of ECOWAS on the Political Situation in Niger Republic.”
At the end of its Executive Session which lasted for over four hours, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio read the resolutions:
While the Senate commended “President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and other Heads of States and Governments of the ECOWAS for their prompt response and the position taken on the unfortunate development in Niger Republic,” it also simultaneously tasked the Head of states of the West African subregion “to strengthen the political and diplomatic options and other means with which to resolve the political impasse in Niger Republic.”
The Senate President further cautioned against the narrative that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wrote to seek approval of the Senate for military deployment.
“The Senate recognizes the fact that President Tinubu by virtue of his correspondence has not asked for the approval of this Senate to go to war as being erroneously suggested in some quarters. Rather, the President and Commander- in- Chief had expressed and I quote, ‘He wished to respectively solicit the support of the National assembly in the successful implementation of the ECOWAS resolutions as outlined in the said communication.”
The Senate equally dropped the hint that its leadership would meet with President Tinubu to discuss on how best to resolve the issue in view of the hitherto existing cordial relationship between Nigeria and Nigerians.”
The Senate resolutions read in part: “The Senate commends President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and other Heads of States and Governments of the ECOWAS for their prompt response and the position taken on the unfortunate development in Niger Republic;
“The Senate recognizes the fact that President Tinubu by virtue of his correspondence has not asked for the approval of this Senate to go to war as being erroneously suggested in some quarters. Rather the President and Commander in chief had expressed and I quote, “He wished to respectively solicit the support of the National assembly in the successful implementation of the ECOWAS resolutions as outlined in the said communication;
“The Senate calls on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as chairman of ECOWAS to further encourage other leaders of ECOWAS to strengthen the political and diplomatic options and other means with which to resolve the political impasse in Niger Republic;
“The National Assembly calls on the ECOWAS leadership under President Tinubu to resolve the political situation in Niger and return the country to democratic governance in the nearest future.
“The leadership of the senate is mandated to further engage the President and Commander in Chief on behalf of the senate and the national Assembly on how best to resolve the issue in view of the hitherto existing cordial relationship between Nigeria and Nigerians
“Finally, the Senate called on the ECOWAS Parliament to rise to the occasion by condemning this and also provide solutions to resolve this impasse as soon as possible.”
Tribune Online checks revealed that Tinubu’s letter addressed to the Senate entitled,”Request for Support in the Implementation of the Resolutions of ECOWAS on the Political Situation in Niger Republic,” had caused a stir in the North. Apart from the Senate Caucus which rejected the ECOWAS resolutions, the Arewa Consultative Forum also rejected military option to the removal of General Abdourahamane Tchiani and reinstatement of elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
Tinubu’s letter reads in part: “I present my modest compliments to the Distinguished Senate President and have honour to inform you, that following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected government in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.
“.1 Closure and monitoring of all land borders with Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.
“2 Cutting off Electricity supply to Niger Republic
“3. Mobilizing international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique
“4 Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic
“5. Blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports
“6. Embarking on sensitization of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions particularly via social media
7″ 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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