Coup: Tinubu Shares Reason Nigeria, ECOWAS May Not Go to War With Niger
- President Bola Tinubu has said war with Niger Republic is not ideal for 'his economic reforms' in Nigeria
- A statement signed by Ajuri Ngelale, his spokesperson, and obtained by Legit.ng, said Tinubu spoke during a meeting with Molly Phee, the United States presidential envoy
- Tinubu told the US envoy that although he is holding ECOWAS from military intervention in Niger Republic, defending democracy in the region is sacrosanct
State House, Abuja - President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, August 26, said war is not ideal for his administration’s economic reforms in Nigeria and the West African region.
He, however, said "the defence of democracy is sacrosanct.”
“I continue to hold ECOWAS back": Tinubu
He said this when he received the U.S. Presidential Envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee, at the Aso Villa, Abuja.
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In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, his media aide, Tinubu said the crisis in Niger Republic would not deter him from concluding his "economic reform programmes" successfully.
The president vowed that he will advance the interest of Nigeria in his approach towards ECOWAS' handling of the situation in Niger.
His words:
“I continue to hold ECOWAS back, despite its readiness for all options, in order to exhaust all other remedial mechanisms.
“War is not ideal for my economic reforms, nor for the region, but the defence of democracy is sacrosanct.
“The ECOWAS consensus is that we will not allow anyone to insincerely buy time.”
Niger: Fani-Kayode expresses reservations over Tinubu's actions
In a piece of related news, Legit.ng reported that a former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Saturday, August 26, said Tinubu's sanctions on Niger "are taking a toll on the population".
The Abuja-based All Progressives Congres (APC) chieftain also said there are mounting concerns that Nigeria's sanctions and policies "will gravely impact the health system" in Niger.
Source: Legit.ng