The Nigerian Senate reacts to Tinubu's request to send in troops to Niger
The appeal by President Bola Tinubu to send Nigerian troops to Niger Republic as part of an ECOWAS deployment to reinstate the democratically elected president of that nation was rejected by the Senate. On July 26th, a coup staged by President Mohamed Bazoum's guards ousted him from office.
Four days later, ECOWAS leaders met in Abuja and issued the coup leaders a seven-day deadline to restore constitutional order or risk the use of force. Sanctions were imposed on the coup leaders by the regional body, and Nigeria cut off energy and closed its borders with the impoverished West African nation.
When the coup leaders refused to renounce their actions, West African defence officials stated they had drafted a plan for military intervention, and President Tinubu wrote to the Senate to ask for approval to send in Nigerian troops.
The senators, however, turned down the president's proposal during a private session on Saturday. Senators reportedly agreed to pass a resolution condemning the coup and praising the efforts of ECOWAS leaders to restore constitutional order in Niger, but they rejected the use of force.
“Almost all the senators spoke and totally ruled out the military options because of many factors and also because of the harmonious relationship that Nigeria and Niger has always enjoyed.
“Senators instead urged President Tinubu to intensify negotiation with the coup leaders by again sending a high-powered delegation to Niamey. Someone suggested that elderstatemen like Obasanjo, Gen Ali Gusau and Abdulsalam Abubakar should be sent as special envoys to dialogue and seek a diplomatic solution. “Senators opposed to military action pointed out that our military is highly ill-equipped and not prepared to fight any war.They said that we have fragile peace in Nigeria and that Niger is the highest arms market in Africa.
“Senators believe that the Federal Government should focus on solving the Boko Haram, banditry and ESN/IPOB menaces ravaging the country instead of contemplating going to war in a foreign country. ”
Over 90 per cent of senator who spoke are vehement against sending troops/military action,” The senator claimed that the lawmakers had ignored an appeal from Senate President Goodswill Akpabio to support President Tinubu's previous actions.
Senators were saying that they will pass a resolution condemning the coup, but on the issue of going to war with Niger, it is a no go area.” The Senate has convened again into plenary to vote on a resolution to this matter
.