The Nigerian Senate has tackled President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Niger Republic in response to the recent military coup.
TrackNews Media reports that the senators, who are in a closed-door session, said they were against any use of force against the Nigerien government.
They also rejected Tinubu’s proposal to cut off electricity supplies to Niger Republic.
The senators said they were concerned that military action would only escalate the situation in Niger Republic and could lead to further violence.
They also said that cutting off electricity supplies would hurt ordinary Nigeriens who had nothing to do with the coup.
Sahara Reporters quoted a source who gave an update on the close-door session:
“The senators are in an Executive closed door Session now (without the press or anyone) discussing about whether to use force/military action in Niger Republic. Majority of the Senators are against deployment of soldiers and are even against the power supply cut-off as already announced by the Nigerian government.
“Senators are still speaking and most of the Senators are vehement against any deployment of soldiers in any form. Deliberations are ongoing and Senate President is appealing for us to endorse the steps President Tinubu has taken so far, but the Senators vehemently rejected his suggestion and appeal,” the source revealed.
Tinubu’s letter addressed to the Senate and received by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Friday had partly read, “Following the unfortunate political situation in 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 Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling excercise. Cutting off Electricity supply to Niger Republic; mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communiqué.
“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 sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens 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.”
