Shehu Sani has urged Senate to disapprove Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Niger.
Newsonline Nigeria reports that a Former Senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, Shehu Sani, has urged the Nigerian Senate not to approve the request by President Bola Tinubu to deploy troops to Niger Republic.
As political tension rages in Niger following the overthrow of the democratically elected president by a military junta, ECOWAS under the leadership of Tunubu has proposed military action and other penalties against the coup plotters
President Tinubu in a letter to the Senate and read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio briefed on plans against the coup leaders in Niger, which include deploying troops to the West African nation.
Recall that a coup d’état took place in Niger on 26 July 2023, resulting in the detention of President Mohamed Bazoum and the installation of General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the head of a new military junta.
The coup plotters said they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France because he wasn’t able to secure the nation from growing Jihadi violence.
Reacting to the development, ECOWAS leaders met on Sunday in Abuja and slammed sanctions on the coup leaders and also issued a one-week ultimatum to them to return the country to constitutional democracy or face possible military intervention.
Some of the sanctions, according to Tinubu’s letter to the Senate include freezing utility services, and closing land borders with the Niger Republic.
“Cutting off Electricity supply to the Niger Republic, mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique, and preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from the Niger Republic.
“Blockade of goods in transit to Niger, especially from Lagos and eastern seaports Embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media. Military build-up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant,” Tinubu’s letter added.
Reacting to that, Sani, a human rights activist said any military intervention in Niger could plunge Nigeria into war with her neigbour and may not end any soon once it starts.
In a statement posted on his Twitter handle, the lawmaker urged the senators to weigh the implications of such a decision, adding that the outcome of Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen, America in Afghanistan and now Russia in Ukraine should serve as “a lesson that war doesn’t end in days, weeks or months.”
He also condemned the decision of the Nigerian government to cut off the electricity supply to Niger and urged Tinubu to explore diplomatic channels to save the lives of people that may be sacrificed in conflict.
“The Nigerian Senate should NOT approve any military action against the Niger Republic. This country should not be plunged into war and eventually stuck in war in the Sahel. President Tinubu shouldn’t allow himself to be misled by foreign powers. Saudi in Yemen, America in Afghanistan, and now Russia in Ukraine should teach us a lesson that war doesn’t end in days, weeks, or months.
“Senators should weigh the implications and consequences of their decisions, especially those senators representing states along the Niger Border. Weaponising electricity supplies to Niger is also condemnable. President Tinubu should continue to explore diplomatic channels and save the lives of those who will be sacrificed,” Sani stated.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had also warned ECOWAS leaders against military intervention in Niger.
“As the ECOWAS continues to work towards reinstating democracy in the Republic of Niger, it must be reinforced that the regional body should not travel the road of military hostilities that may exacerbate the status quo,” Mr Abubakar said.
