According to the Federal Government, sending in Nigerian forces would be the last option for overthrowing the military junta and restoring democracy to the Niger Republic.
According to Gistlover, Ibrahim Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this to the diplomatic community on Friday during a discussion about the political climate in Niger.
Lamuwa stated that if diplomatic efforts to engage the junta fail, the deployment of troops would be the last resort in restoring democracy to Niger. He also stated that President Bola Tinubu would work to ensure that the ousted President, Mohamed Bazoum, is given his position back.
Additionally, he urged all nations to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its efforts to bring back democratic rule in Niger.
According to the former Nigerian ambassador to Senegal, there is worry that the success of the coup in Niger will seriously damage ECOWAS’s reputation.
He said: “The authority welcomes the immediate condemnation, by the international community, of the coup in Niger and sees this as a huge testimony to the preference for democracy and constitutional rule, vis-a-vis any other form of governance.
“Consequently, Nigeria and, indeed, ECOWAS, call upon the international community to remain resolute on this stance and to continue to show solidarity to ECOWAS in affirming the superiority of democratic and constitutional rule over dictatorship.
“The recent developments in the neighbouring country, alongside Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea – all countries that have backed the coup in Niger have raised serious concerns about regional stability and democratic principles in West Africa.
“The region holds that President Bazoum remains the legitimate president and head of state of the Republic of Niger, recognised and supported by ECOWAS, the AU and the international community and therefore rejects any form of resignation that may purportedly come from him, perhaps under duress.
“A separate delegation led by Babagana Kingibe, a former secretary to the government of the federation, was mandated to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria on the matter.“
