By Adebayo Daramola, Abuja
No fewer than 58 Senators representing the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the auspices of the Northern Senators Forum have issued a stern warning to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against taking any military action in Niger Republic.
A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the by its spokesman, Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, (NNPP, Kano) however condemned the military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger Republic last week.
The Northern Senators Forum however called for the use of diplomatic option in resolving the logjam, while frowning at the economic and other sanctions being imposed on Niger by ECOWAS and other allies.
The Senator Abdul Ahmad Ningi led Northern Senators Forum said:
“We, the Northern Senators Caucus of the 10th Senate under the leadership of Sen. Abdul Ahmad Ningi, note with concern and condemn in its entirety the unfortunate development in Niger Republic, where the military forcefully upstaged a democratically elected government of President Mohammed Bazoum”.
“The Northern Senators also take cognizance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our Dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic. The emphasis, however should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in Niger Republic.
“We also take exception to use of the of military force until other avenues as mentioned above are exhausted as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who go about their daily business. Besides, about seven northern states who shared border with Niger Republic namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno will be negatively affected.”
“We are also aware of the situation of Mali, Burkina Faso and Libya, which may affect the seven Northern states, if military force is used. There is serious implication for our country, if military force is used without exhausting all the diplomatic channels.
As democrats and representatives of the people we are here by urging our colleagues to observe due diligence in invoking section 5 sub section (4) (a) and (b) of 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended.”
