Today's Headlines: We May Be Pushed To Invade Niger—US Tells Coup Plotters; Tinubu Introduces Fresh Sanctions On Niger

We May Be Pushed To Invade Niger—US Tells Coup Plotters

Photo Credit: Vanguard paper

The United States of America has warned the Niger junta that America may be pushed to be involved militarily if the country’s military rulers do not return to constitutional order.

The US acting Deputy Secretary, Victoria Nuland, in a special briefing on Niger disclosed this a teleconference on Tuesday.

She noted, “…There is still a lot of motion here on many sides with regard to where the governance situation will go.

“So we will be watching that closely and there are a number of regional meetings coming up and consultations with allies and partners that we need to make.

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Coup: Tinubu slams fresh sanctions on Niger

Photo credit: Daily Post

Following the deadline given by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to impose extra financial sanctions on Niger Republic.

Tinubu also directed the CBN to extend such sanctions to senior government officials of Niger who have refused to heed to the demand by ECOWAS.

Recall that Bazoum was overthrown and detained by senior military officers in the country about two weeks ago, to the chagrin of ECOWAS leaders, who have threatened a possible military action against the coupists if democratic governance is not returned.

Tinubu’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the latest sanction by Nigeria, which currently chairs the Authority of ECOWAS heads of state and government.

Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja, Ngelale said that “following the expiration of the deadline of the ultimatum and standing on the pre-existing consensus position of financial sanctions meted out on the military junta in Niger Republic by the bloc of ECOWAS Heads of State, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an additional slew of financial sanctions through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on entities and individuals related to or involved with the military junta in Niger Republic”.

He also debunked attempts by sections of the media to personalise the angst and sanctions against the military in Niger Republic, stressing that whatever action Nigeria has taken or takes falls under ECOWAS protocols and decisions, and not by unilateral fiat of Tinubu.

According to Ngelale, “this is not an individual action taken by an individual President on behalf of an individual nation. This is an action taken by ECOWAS chairman, who is the president of Nigeria, but standing on the authority provided by the consensus resolution of all ECOWAS members and heads of state with regard to financial sanctions being levied by ECOWAS Member States against the military junta in Niger Republic.

“There is an authority that we are standing on. It is not the Nigerian government authority, it is the authority of the resolution passed in public before now.

“This is the context, the nuance and the detail that is required in our reports, lest our people be misinformed; and we begin to be framed internationally as being in a situation where it’s Nigeria versus its neighbour, Niger, because that’s the narrative that some certain international perspectives would like to advance for their own interest.”

He stressed that “the ECOWAS mandate, and ultimatum is not a Nigerian ultimatum. It is not a Nigerian mandate and the office of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also serving as the chairman of ECOWAS seeks to emphasize this point.”

Ngelale further noted that Tinubu in recent days, particularly following the expiration of the ultimatum given by ECOWAS, has widened consultations internationally but most especially domestically, including interfaces with state governors in Nigeria, who govern states bordering Niger public on the various fallouts and outcomes of the situation in Niger Republic.

He also affirmed that Nigeria will be hosting an extraordinary summit of the ECOWAS leaders on Thursday to discuss the next line of action after the deadline given to the military in Niger Republic expired last Sunday.

Group hails Tinubu on Danladi’s Ministerial nomination, appeals for his confirmation

Photo credit: Vanguard

A pro All Progressives Congress group, APC Progressive Youth Alliance has lauded President Bola Tinubu for nominating Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi as a Minister from Taraba state.

Leader of the group Mr Joseph Awolowo Perekeme in a statement to the Vanguard enjoined the Senate to confirm the nominee, adding that the senators should ignore those trying to pull down Danladi.

“The controversy around this whole security screening holding the confirmation has caught our attention, hence we are calling on the Senate to ignore those who want to pull down Sen. Danladi.

“The likes of Sen. Danladi will contribute his wealth of experience to the success of this administration led by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We have no reservations about Danladi’s capacity to deliver as a Minister.

“We are appealing to the Senate to consider confirming the Ministerial nomination of Sen. Danladi who has being patriotic, a man who has shown commitment to the development and growth of the nation.

Ifeanyi Ubah emerges chairman, senate committee on States, LG affairs

Photo credit: Nigerian Tribune

The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah has emerged as chairman of the newly created Senate Committee on States and Local Government Affairs as announced by the Senate leadership on Tuesday.

This committee will, amongst other functions, carry out oversight activities on various federal government projects, allocations, and interventions in the entire 36 states, including FCT and the 774 local government areas in the country.

Recall that Senator Ubah won his re-election on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) with a landslide to become a ranking member of the 10th Senate.

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