Niger Coup: I am holding again ECOWAS, others from army invasion

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu says he’s he’s the one holding again ECOWAS and different unnamed forces from invading Niger to revive constitutional order within the nation.

Mr Tinubu, who can also be the chairperson of the ECOWAS heads of state and authorities, mentioned this Thursday throughout a gathering with Nigerian Islamic clerics who’re performing as mediators with the Niger junta.

“I’m managing a really severe state of affairs. In case you take ECOWAS apart, different individuals will react, those that are outdoors of our management. I’m the one holding these sides again. I’m the one holding again ECOWAS,” he mentioned, in accordance with an account of the assembly despatched to PREMIUM TIMES by his spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale.

The Nigerian chief, nonetheless, instructed his friends that he couldn’t delay such army intervention for too lengthy and they also should hasten their dialogue with the Niger junta.

Though Mr Tinubu didn’t title the “different individuals” he was referring to, it could possibly be a reference to France whose troops are stationed in Niger and have refused to acknowledge the authority of the junta.

This newspaper reported how regardless of Mr Tinubu’s enchantment, ECOWAS heads of state authorised a army intervention in Niger and ordered the deployment of an ECOWAS standby power within the nation to make sure the return of President Mohamed Bazoum to energy if dialogue fails.

Mr Bazoum was eliminated in a coup by troopers final month and remains to be being detained alongside members of his household.

Regardless of the ECOWAS decision which has since been supported by the AU and the UN, many Nigerians are against army intervention within the neighbouring nation. The Islamic clerics who met with Mr Tinubu volunteered to mediate within the disaster as a consequence of their opposition to struggle and the shut ethnic and spiritual ties between Nigeria and Niger.

READ ALSO: Niger Coup: Junta hints at transition after assembly with ECOWAS delegation

Nigeria will likely be anticipated to deploy the biggest variety of troops as a part of the ECOWAS power ought to a army intervention proceed.

Learn Mr Ngelale’s full assertion beneath.

The Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Authorities, President Bola Tinubu, has implored a delegation of Islamic students (Ulamas), who have been beforehand engaged in discussions to facilitate the restoration of constitutional democratic governance in Niger Republic, to expedite progress of their ongoing dialogue with the army junta.

The President acquired a complete briefing on Thursday on the State Home in Abuja, from the Ulamas, who have been led into the assembly by Sheikh Bala Lau.

The briefing adopted the Ulamas’ two most up-to-date visits to Niger Republic.

The Islamic leaders had knowledgeable the President that the army junta was open to deepening dialogue with ECOWAS as extra steps are being taken to forestall armed battle with a extra detailed acceptance of the ECOWAS place by Niger army council officers.

Responding to the delegation of Ulamas, in opposition to the backdrop of ethnic rumours peddled by home political figures inside and out of doors of the nation, President Tinubu emphasised that he’s on the forefront of a peaceable decision of the disaster, even within the midst of extra hawkish people urging swifter intervention.

“I’m managing a really severe state of affairs. In case you take ECOWAS apart, different individuals will react, those that are outdoors of our management. I’m the one holding these sides again. I’m the one holding again ECOWAS,” he disclosed.

Addressing the urgency of the state of affairs, the president added:

”At the same time as of this morning, I’ve been inundated with telephone calls on the readiness of nations with their army power and contributions. Nevertheless, I instructed them to attend. I’m assembly with the Ulamas and I’ll get again to you.”

President Tinubu instructed the Islamic delegation that the army junta should be held accountable for placing the whole individuals of Niger Republic in jeopardy.

”They can not use the gun given to them to guard the sovereignty of the nation and switch it in opposition to the individuals of the nation,” he mentioned.

President Tinubu pledged that ECOWAS will stay steadfast in its dedication to diplomatically have interaction with all stakeholders and search a peaceable decision to the deadlock in Niger Republic.

“I’ll draw a line within the sand and ask you to make preparations to return to Niger Republic,” he said.

On the request by the Islamic students for the federal authorities to watch the distribution of palliatives to states, the President promised that extra palliatives are coming for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.

He additionally appealed to state governments to make sure transparency and accountability within the distribution and administration of those palliatives.

“The individuals reside within the states. Even when I arrange a panel, I should undergo the governors and the native governments. We are going to proceed to speak to the governors. Nigerians should maintain them accountable,” he continued.

“It’s exceptional that in a constitutional democracy; a president will sit right here and provides orders to states. I can solely enchantment to them to implement. The individuals reside within the states, and if the governor just isn’t doing properly, the individuals should vote them out,” he concluded.

Ajuri Ngelale

Particular Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 24, 2023