NIGERIA SENATOR REJECTS TINUBU PLEA FOR TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN NIGER.

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NIGERIA SENATOR REJECTS TINUBU PLEA FOR TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN NIGER.

By, Adedayo Fowowe

Senators have rejected President Bola Tinubu's request for permission to deploy Nigerian troops to Niger Republic as part of an ECOWAS force to restore the country's democratically elected president, President Mohamed Bazoum, who was deposed on July 26 in a coup led by his presidential guards.

At a meeting four days later in Abuja, ECOWAS leaders issued the coup leaders a seven-day deadline to restore constitutional order or face the use of force.
 
The regional group imposed sanctions on the coup leaders, and Nigeria halted electrical supplies and closed its borders with the impoverished West African country.

Following the coup leaders' reluctance to back down, West African defense officials stated they had devised a plan for military action, as part of which President Tinubu requested approval from the Senate to deploy Nigerian troops in the attack.

However, at an executive session on Saturday, senators rejected the president's proposal.

According to a senator present at the meeting, senators decided to draft a resolution condemning the coup and commending ECOWAS leaders for their efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger, but they ruled out military alternatives.

"Almost all of the senators spoke and completely ruled out military options due to a variety of factors, including Nigeria and Niger's long-standing friendly relationship."

"Instead, senators urged President Tinubu to escalate negotiations with the coup leaders by dispatching a high-level delegation to Niamey." "Elder statesmen like Obasanjo, Gen Ali Gusau, and Abdulsalam Abubakar should be sent as special envoys to dialogue and seek a diplomatic solution," someone proposed.Senators opposing to military action emphasized that our military is woefully underequipped and unprepared to wage any conflict.

They claimed that Nigeria has a fragile peace and that Niger has Africa's largest arms market.Senators feel that instead of contemplating war in a foreign country, the Federal Government should focus on resolving the Boko Haram, banditry, and ESN/IPOB threats plaguing the country.

According to Premarv media, "over 90% of senators who spoke are vehemently opposed to sending troops/military action."

According to the senator, Senate President Goodswill Akpabio asked members to support President Tinubu's actions thus far, but they flatly refused.
Senators have stated that they will vote a resolution condemning the coup, but that going to war with Niger is out of the question."

The Senate has reconvened in session and is anticipated to pass a resolution on the matter.