Tinubu seeks National Assembly’s support for Niger military action

President Bola Tinubu has penned a letter to the Senate seeking the National Assembly’s support for military intervention against the new military regime in Niger Republic.

Tinubu was elected Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority held on July 09, 2023, in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.

In that capacity, he condemned the ouster of Niger President, Mohamed Bazoum, via a coup d’etat on July 26.

Tinubu had described the situation in Niger Republic as “unpleasant developments”, noting that the “ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa”.

On Sunday, the Nigerian president met with some fellow ECOWAS leaders to discuss appropriate ways to restore democracy in Niger.

The president’s letter to the Senate read, “Political situation in Niger. 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 govt in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.”

The president is seeking support for “military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.

“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.

“Cutting off Electricity supply to the Niger Republic, mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique.”

“Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic; Blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports,” he added.

Tinubu also told the Senate that the country was embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.