Senate President explains Tinubu’s letter on deployment of troops to Niger

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, responding to reports on a letter to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu, reportedly requesting approval for deployment of troops to Niger Republic to enforce ECOWAS resolutions, explained that the President in the letter only asked for the approval of the Senate to implement the resolutions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as chairman of the West African bloc.

The Senate President noted that some of the resolutions by senators after a closed-door meeting include the condemnation of the military coup in Niger Republic, while they commended President Tinubu and ECOWAS heads of states and governments for their prompt response to the crisis in Niger.

Akpabio disclosed that the Senate leadership would further engage with President Tinubu on behalf of the National Assembly on how best to resolve the impasse in the Niger Republic, considering the hitherto cordial relations between Nigeria and Niger.

The senators further enjoined president Tinubu to encourage other ECOWAS heads of states to strengthen other diplomatic and political solutions to resolve the leadership crisis in Niger.

The Senate President was silent on any issue relating to preparation for war against the military regime in Niger Republic, neither did he say a word on the 7-day ultimatum of the ECOWAS leaders that has elapsed.