Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Despite mounting cautions over military action against Niger Republic, President Bola Tinubu, Friday, wrote to the Nigerian Senate seeking its approval for a military confrontation against the Francophone neighbour.
Tinubu in the letter, hinted the Senate of the proposed military action and other sanctions against the military junta by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
He sought the approval of the upper legislative chamber to invade Niger Republic.
The President’s letter to the Senate was read on the floor of the Upper Chamber by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
It read: “Political situation in Niger. 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:
“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.
“Cutting off electricity supply to the Niger Republic; mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique.
“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.”
