Senator Representing the Plateau South District in the National Assembly, Napoleon Bali, has come out to clarify the reports on the senate allegedly turning down President Tinubu’s request to deploy military forces to aid in restoring democratic governance in Niger Republice.
The president had reached out in a letter to the senate making his request to mobilize Nigerian troops against the Nigerien coupists that overthrew the nation’s president, Mohamed Bazoum.
The president also had a meeting with the five Nigerian states that border the West African country; Sokoto, Jigawa, Yobe, Kebbi, Katsina.
In an ARISE NEWS interview on Monday, Senator Bali said the report about the senate rejecting the president’s proposal, was in fact a misconception.
He said the senate simply stated that the president who is also the Chair of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) would have to go through the proper procedure of request before a ruling can be given on the matter.
“We don’t want any war because in the event that war breaks out we have a lot of refugees because of insecurity in Nigeria, that are presently in Niger republic. We considered them. So that was the position.”
The senator proceeded to read out a part of the resolution. “The number 1 is, the 10th senate condemns the coup in the republic of Niger. The 10th senate commend President Tinubu and other head of ECOWAS nations for their prompt action to see a solution to the unfortunate development in the republic of Niger.
“Now the point of interest and I will read it to you verbitive. ‘The 10th senate recognizes the fact that President Tinubu, by virtue of his correspondent, had not asked for the approval of the parliament to go to war with Niger as erroneously being suggested in some quarters.’ “
After assuring that the President’s request was based on his eagerness to implement ECOWAS resolution, he went on to state, “Instead, I can tell you again, one of the resolutions because the senate raised observations and of course the northern senators, not that they just objected. Of course they have a solution and that solution was accepted by the senate.”
Senator Bali suggested that they will engage the president who is also chief of armed forces to go for a more diplomatic approach for a more “cordial relationship” to be able to maintain between the countries.
The senator who is a retired Air Vice Marshal in Nigeria as Air Force Chief Of Policy and Plans stated that if Nigeria were to go to war with Niger the results would be catastrophic as the it would wound the ties between the nation especially due to Niger’s role in aiding Nigeria ward off insurgency in the northern states close to it’s border.
He also stated that it would bring about the rise of “military contractors” from Niger and other west Africa countries in support of the coup.
On Sunday, Niger declared its air borders a no fly zone as Sunday marked the end of the ultimatum period given to the nation to restore it’s democratic system and reinstate its president.This brought cause for concern that there would be no passage through the nation’s air border as it could affect flight to and from Europe.
According to Senator Napoleon Bali, ”These are just semantics.And I can tell you normally, no matter how even when NATO declared no fly zone in Libya, of course, when you get permission, you will still be able to fly to that place. Remember that Mr. President Bola Tinubu and by extension, ECOWAS, have sent a delegation there. The fact that they said ‘air border closed, air space closed, no fly zone’ does not mean you will not get permission to fly into Niger and also take off from there.”
He clarified that this does not mean he was downplaying the situation as he would as he understood the implications. He stated that aviators to Europe will pay more and it would be inconvenient for the nations and its people.
“Remember these military leaders in Niger Republic, they are in control of the national armouries now. So of course if they discover that they can be overrun, remember that Burkina Faso and Mali have already said they would support them. So we’re talking of a group of some ECOWAS countries facing another group of ECOWAS countries. I can tell you, it would be a catastrophe.”
Glamour Adah
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