Tinubu Readies Military Deployment To Niger, Writes, Seeks Senate Approval

Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has transmitted a letter to the Senate seeking the latter’s support for his decision to deploy the country’s military personnel to the Niger Republic.

The President also sought the approval of the legislature on his decision to cut off electricity supply to the country following the coup in which the Nigerien military, led by the Presidential guards, toppled the country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

“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.

“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,” President Tinubu said.

Tinubu also informed the Senate that his administration would soon embark on the process of sensitizing Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of the enumerated actions, particularly via the social media. 

The Nigerian President, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, met with some of the sub region's leaders on Sunday to discuss appropriate ways of responding to and restoring democracy in Niger.

Among others, the leaders also met to discuss various sanctions to be placed against the military junta.