Niger Republic: Tinubu seeks Senate approval for sanctions, military action

By Ologeh Joseph Chibu

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has gone ahead to seek the support of the Senate for his proposed military action against the new government in Niger Republic.

There was a military coup in Niger that saw an end to the democratically elected government of Bozzour

The new military leader Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani is being asked to quit by the regional body, Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS)

The regime has also revered ties with Nigeria after the Nigerian Government held a regional meeting calling for his sack

Tchiani was given seven days to reinstall the ousted civilian President.

On Friday, President Tinubu wrote to the Senate asking for support.

The letter was read on the floor of the Upper Chamber by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Marked “Political situation in Niger the President’s letter reads:

“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.

” Cutting off Electricity supply to the Niger Republic

” Mobilizing 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

“Embarking on sensitization of Nigerians and 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”