Senators have rejected President Bola Tinubu’s request for permission to deploy Nigerian troops to Niger Republic as part of an ECOWAS force aimed at reinstating the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in a coup by his presidential guards on 26th July.
Following the coup, ECOWAS leaders held a meeting in Abuja and gave the coup leaders a seven-day ultimatum to restore constitutional order, threatening the possible use of force. As a response, the regional body imposed sanctions on the coup leaders, and Nigeria cut electricity supplies and closed its borders with Niger.
In light of the coup leaders’ refusal to step down, West African defense chiefs developed a plan for military action, prompting President Tinubu to write to the Senate seeking permission to involve Nigerian troops.
However, during an executive session on Saturday, the senators rejected the president’s request. They opted for a non-military approach and agreed to pass a resolution condemning the coup and commending ECOWAS leaders’ efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger.
according to vanguard news, Many senators cited various reasons for opposing military action, including the strong and harmonious relationship between Nigeria and Niger, the ill-equipped state of the Nigerian military, and the fragile peace within Nigeria itself. They emphasized that the government should focus on addressing the internal security challenges posed by Boko Haram, banditry, and the ESN/IPOB activities instead of engaging in military intervention abroad. Senators suggested intensifying negotiations with the coup leaders and sending special envoys, including prominent figures like Obasanjo, Gen Ali Gusau, and Abdulsalam Abubakar, to seek a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
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