…prefers dialogue option
The Nigerian Senate says it would prefer for President Bola Tinubu to resort to dialogue in addressing the military takeover of government in the Republic of Niger, rather than resorting to military intervention.
The Senate has therefore advised President Tinubu, as chairman of the Economic Community of African States (ECOWAS), to seek political solution in the matter.
The President had on Friday asked for the approval of the Senate for troop deployment in his bid to dislodge the coupist in Niger by force of arms.
Following deliberations on President Tinubu’s request on Saturday, the Senate said it favoured the move to restore democracy in Niger Republic but would opt for the channel of persuasion rather than the force of arms to accomplish the goal.
Senator Godswill Akpabio, who is President of the Senate read the resolution after the lawmakers returned to plenary.
“The Senate recognises the fact that the President Tinubu by virtue of the correspondence has not asked for approval of the parliament, approval of this Senate, to go to war as being erroneously suggested in some quarters, Akpabio said. “Rather Mr President and the Commander-in-Chief had expressed, and I quote: ‘a wish to respectfully solicit the support of the National Assembly in the successful implementation of the ECOWAS resolutions as outlined in the said communications.
But in his letter to the Senate Friday, President Tinubu had listed the measures ECOWAS and Nigeria planned to take to restore democracy to Niger.
They include “Military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they (coupist) remain recalcitrant.”
The resolutions read by the Senate President are as follows.
“The Senate commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other heads of states and government of the ECOWAS for their prompt response and the position taken on the unfortunate incident in Niger Republic.
“The Senate calls on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and chairman of ECOWAS to further encourage other leaders of ECOWAS to strengthen the political and diplomatic options and other means to resolve the political logjam in Niger Republic.
“The National Assembly supports ECOWAS leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in resolving the political situation in Niger and returning the country to a democratic governance in the nearest future.
“The leadership of the Senate is mandated to further engage with the President and commander-in-chief on behalf of the Senate and National Assembly on how best to resolve the issues in view of the existing cordial relationship between Nigeriens and Nigerians.
“Finally, the Senate calls on the ECOWAS parliament to rise to the occasion by equally condemning this coup and also providing solutions to resolve this logjam as soon as possible.”
