President Bola Tinubu has made a move to send Nigerian armed forces to Niger Republic for military action and has written to seek the approval of the Senate.
President Tinubu, as the Head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is seeking approval from the Senate to execute the proposed military action and other sanctions against the military officers for seizing power recenty in the Niger Republic.
The letter was read on the floor of the Upper Chamber by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter read: “Political situation in Niger.
“Following the unfortunate political situation in the 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.
“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.”
Meanwhile, the military junta in Niger Republic has cut off ties with Nigeria after the efforts of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to resolve the ongoing impasse failed.
“Niger severed ties with Nigeria, Togo, France, its coloniser, and the United States.
“The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States are terminated,” Radio France International quoted one of the putschists to have said on national television.
ECOWAS had issued a seven-day ultimatum for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum to avoid possible clash with the junta.
But President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, sent a high-powered delegation to the country to meet with the coup leaders, on Thursday.
The delegation, led by retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar only met with representatives of the junta.
