The caucus of senators of northern Nigeria has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against making any move to step into the military coup debacle in nearby Niger Republic with the Nigerian military as a means of queling the crises.
A joint statement of the caucus signed by Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila condemned the Niger coup, but cautioned against use of military power.
It instead advocated diplomatic channels to address the situation as a more effective and better option
The group also faulted the menu of economic, and other sanctions Tinubu has been hurriedly unleashing on Niger in the wake of the military takeover of power.
They 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 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.
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.
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.
