Nigerian Northern Senators warn President against military intervention in Niger

By Babagana Jidda
Kanempress
5th August 2023

Nigerian Northern Senators in the 10th National Assembly have advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against military intervention in resolving the crisis in Niger.

The spokesperson for Northern Senators Forum,
Senator Suleiman Sumaila, urged the Nigerian President to adopt political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in Niger.

Kanempress gathered that, the group of Senators led by Sumaila said the military intervention in Niger would affect states like Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno.

“The emphasis, however, should be on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in the Niger Republic,” Sumaila said.

“We also take exception to the use of military force until other avenues, as mentioned above, are exhausted, as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who do their daily business. Besides, about seven northern states with a border with the Niger Republic will be negatively affected, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno”, the spokesperson for Northern Senators Forum said.

It will be recalled that the military junta in Niger cut diplomatic ties with Nigeria after the ECOWAS envoy sent to the country to broker peace yielded no result.

A military junta toppled Niger’s democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum with tension in the West African region.