Senators from the Northern part of the country have unanimously warned against the use of military force in the effort to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic.
This was revealed by Sen. Suleiman A. Kawu Sumaila , spokesperson for Northern Senators Forum in a Press Release following the hijack of democratic rulership in Niger Republic by the military.
The Forum spokesperson expressed displeasure at the current situation in Niger Republic and how it is affecting its economy and other Northern states.
He wrote, ” We, the Northern Senators Caucus of the 10th Senate under the leadership of Sen. Abdul Ahmad Ningi, note with concern and condemn in its entirety the unfortunate development in Niger Republic, where the military forcefully upstaged a democratically elected government of President Mohammed Bazoum”.
The Northern Senators Forum spokesperson pointed that political and diplomatic means should be employed to restore democratic government in Niger Republic.
“The Northern Senators also take cognizance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our Dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic. The emphasis, however should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in Niger Republic”.
Sen. Suleiman explained that the citizens of Niger Republic are mostly affected by the Coup.
“We also take exception to use of the of military force until other avenues as mentioned above are exhausted as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who go about their daily business. Besides, about seven northern states who shared border with Niger Republic namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno will be negatively affected”.
Mr Suleiman urged the Niger Republic Military to observe due deligence in invoking the law.
“We are also aware of the situation of Mali, Burkina Faso and Libya, which may affect the seven Northern states, if military force is used. There is serious implication for our country, if military force is used without exhausting all the diplomatic channels.
As democrats and representatives of the people we are here by urging our colleagues to observe due diligence in invoking section 5 sub section (4) (a) and (b) of 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended”.
