Tinubu writes Nigerian senate asking it to authorise military action in Niger Republic

NIGERIA could on the verge of declaring war on one of her neighbours after President Bola Tinubu sent a letter to the senate asking it to authorise the use of military action against Niger Republic in a bid to restore democracy there.

On July 26, officers of the Nigerien presidential guard arrested President Mohammed Bazoum in the capital Niamey and declared him deposed. In response, last Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), met in Abuja and announced sanctions against the regime, suspending it and freezing Niger Republic's assets.

Ecowas leaders, led by Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, gave the generals a one-week ultimatum to restore constitutional order. To enforce this, they announced the suspension of financial transactions with Niger and decreed the freezing of all service transactions, including energy transactions.

Acting on this, earlier this week, Nigeria cut its electricity supply to the Nigerien Electricity Company, popularly known as Nigelec. Nigeria exports electricity to the republics of Benin and Niger under transaction service agreements, with Nigelec being supplied by Nigerian firm Mainstream Energy.

Taking matters further, President Tinubu has sent a letter to the Nigerian senate, seeking approval for military action and other sanctions. Earlier today, senate president Godswill Akpabio, read the letter out on the floor of the National Assembly.

President Tinubu's letter read: “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 government.  In a bid to restore peace, Ecowas convened a meeting and came out with a communique.

“Measures introduced include the closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise. They also include cutting off electricity supply to the Niger Republic and mobilizing international support for the implementation of the provisions of the Ecowas communique

“In addition, we shall prevent the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic and there will be a blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports. There will be a military build-up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.”

Ecowas said it will also embark on sensitisation plans to make Nigerians and Nigerians aware of the consequences of these actions, particularly via social media. Earlier this week, Nigeria disconnected the high voltage line that carries electricity to Niger Republic.