US Secretary Antony Blinken Calls President Tinubu, Details Emerge

• President Bola Tinubu has been commended for his leadership role in ECOWAS and for handling the political crisis rocking the Niger Republic
• Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, disclosed that he put a call through to President Tinubu for the leadership prowess displayed in returning neighbouring Niger to democratic rule
• The commendation came shortly after the military junta in the Niger Republic agreed to have a peace talk with ECOWAS

White House, US - The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has commended President Bola Tinubu over his leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

In a tweet by Blinken on Monday, August 14, the US Secretary of State disclosed that he had just called the Nigerian President to comment on how he leads the West African association.

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BREAKING: Tension looms as ECOWAS lashes at Niger coup plotters' threat

How ECOWAS, Niger locked horns in West African bloc

ECOWAS has been at loggerheads with the military junta in the Niger Republic, which recently overthrew democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

Following the coup that ousted Bazoum, ECOWAS, under the leadership of President Tinubu, issued an ultimatum against the military leader and added that it would not hesitate to use force if the military junta refused to return power to democratic government.

To express the seriousness of his actions, the Nigerian president slammed numerous sanctions on the neighbouring country, including cutting off its electricity supply.

What ECOWAS is doing to stop military junta in Niger

At the ultimatum's expiration, Nigeria slammed more sanctions on the supporters of the coup, adding that it would be carried out through the Central Bank of Nigeria.

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“Niger can thwart ECOWAS sanctions": Military-appointed PM sends strong words to West African leaders

The sanctions have created tension among Nigerians, who believe the military junta has the backing of Russia through the Wagner Group and any military action against Niger could lead to an attack on Africa.

Amid the tension, UN Secretary Antony Blinken commended Tinubu's leadership style in ECOWAS, particularly restoring democratic order in Niger.

His tweet reads:

"Spoke to Nigerian President Tinubu to commend his leadership of the Economic Community of West African States and discussed shared efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger."

See his tweet here:

"Your manner faintly suggests taking sides": Obi kicks as US calls Tinubu

Legit.ng earlier reported that Peter Obi of the Labour Party has condemned the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, for calling President-elect Bola Tinubu.

According to Obi, Blinken's action looks like the US is taking a side in a matter that is yet to be decided by a court of law.

Obi posited that many Nigerians expected the US to relate to the country's internal affairs with mutual respect and interest rather than with an individual.

Source: Legit.ng