Senators have turned down President Bola Tinubu's request to deploy Nigerian troops to Niger Republic as part of an ECOWAS force aimed at reinstating the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. President Bazoum was ousted in a coup led by his presidential guards on 26th July.
In response to the coup, ECOWAS leaders convened in Abuja and gave the coup leaders a seven-day ultimatum to restore constitutional order or face possible military action. Nigeria, as part of the regional body, imposed sanctions on the coup leaders, including cutting electricity supplies and closing borders with Niger.
Despite the refusal of the coup leaders to backtrack, West African defense chiefs developed a plan for military action and President Tinubu sought Senate permission to involve Nigerian troops in the operation. However, during an executive session on Saturday, the senators rejected the president's request.
The senators collectively ruled out military intervention due to various factors, including the historically harmonious relationship between Nigeria and Niger. Instead, they encouraged President Tinubu to intensify negotiations with the coup leaders by sending a high-powered delegation, including prominent figures like Obasanjo, Gen Ali Gusau, and Abdulsalam Abubakar, as special envoys to seek a diplomatic solution.
Many senators voiced concerns over Nigeria's ill-equipped military and the fragility of peace within the country. They emphasized that the government should focus on resolving internal issues such as Boko Haram, banditry, and the ESN/IPOB threats before considering military actions in a foreign country.
Senate President Goodswill Akpabio appealed to the lawmakers to endorse the steps taken by President Tinubu so far, but the appeal was firmly rejected. While the Senate agreed to pass a resolution condemning the coup, they firmly opposed any military action against Niger.
The Senate has now returned to plenary to deliberate and pass a resolution on the matter.
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