By Martin Cole-
Nigeria’s new President, Bola Tinubu, has written a letter to his country’s Senate, asking its members to back a regional military intervention in neighbouring Niger, where a coup toppled the democratically elected government of Mohamed Bazoum last week.
Tinubu requested for “military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant”.
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ECOWAS also dispatched a delegation to Niger – headed by former Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar – to negotiate with the soldiers who seized power.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa, said the “use of force is the last resort and we hope we do not get there,” meaning force remains a practical option of diplomacy fails.
However, former lawmaker Shehu Sani has urged the Senate not to approve President Bola Tinubu’s request for military action against the Republic of Niger.
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Advising senators to turn down Tinubu’s request, he said : “The Nigerian Senate should NOT approve any military action against 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. That’s my view.”
Insiders believe Tinubu’s request for permission from the Senate is a mere formality, and that the wealthy president has the authority to obtain whatever support he wishes to involve his troops in war.
Nigeria has the largest armed forces in the region and is set to lead the intervention in Niger in a mission that could be costly, and further exacerbate the already dire situation among its own struggling populace amid hyper inflation and instability in the country.
Tinubu who is yet to appoint ministers for defence and foreign affairs – despite sending a list of 48 ministerial nominees to parliament has already authorised a withdrawal of electricity in the region, hitting them hard, since it is Niger’s main supplier of of power..
Several Western nations have also cut aid in a statement of solidarity with countries strongly disapproving of the coup- a move that will only worsen the poverty in Niger.
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