Senators Reject Tinubu’s Request for Military Action Against Niger Republic
Senators have rejected the request by President Bola Tinubu for permission to send Nigerian troops to Niger Republic as part of an ECOWAS force to reinstate the democratically elected president of the country.
Following the coup, ECOWAS leaders convened in Abuja and issued a seven-day ultimatum to restore constitutional order, warning of possible military action. The regional body imposed sanctions, and Nigeria took measures by cutting electricity supplies and closing its borders with the troubled West African nation.
In response to the coup leaders’ refusal to back down, West African defence chiefs devised a military action plan, leading President Tinubu to approach the Senate for approval to involve Nigerian troops.
However, during an executive session on Saturday, the senators overwhelmingly rejected the request. Instead, they opted for a resolution to condemn the coup and commend ECOWAS leaders for their efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger. The senators ruled out military intervention, highlighting the longstanding amicable relationship between Nigeria and Niger and stressing the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions.
Many senators emphasized that Nigeria’s military is ill-equipped and not adequately prepared for a foreign war. With internal challenges such as Boko Haram, banditry, and ESN/IPOB activities affecting the country, the lawmakers urged President Tinubu to intensify negotiation efforts with the coup leaders and consider sending elder statesmen, such as Obasanjo, Gen Ali Gusau, and Abdulsalam Abubakar, as special envoys for dialogue and diplomatic resolution.
Senate President Goodswill Akpabio sought to gain support for President Tinubu’s actions, but the senators firmly rejected the appeal, maintaining that while they would condemn the coup, military action against Niger was off the table.
The Senate has now returned to plenary to pass a resolution on the matter, signaling their stance against deploying Nigerian troops to Niger.
