Ex-Adamawa governor backs Tinubu’s method of resolving Niger’s political impasse
…. suggests asylum for coupists in Nigeria
Samuel Luka, Bauchi
As the military junta in the neighboring Niger republic continue to thwart the return of democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum to power, former Governor of Adamawa state, Barrister Bala James Nggilari has commended the approach of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolving the leadership imbroglio amicably.
Speaking to our Corresspondent in a telephone interview yesterday, Barr. Nggilari said that the situation in the Niger republic requires carrot and stick approach to be resolved.
According to him, President Tinubu, been an astute and deep-rooted Politician piloting the ECOWAS affairs, together with other 14 member African leaders have taken a very good step towards tackling the problem in Niger.
The Ex-Adamawa governor further expressed confidence in the ECOWAS under the leadership of President Tinubu to exhaust all avenues of dialogue, hoped that the military junta in Niger would see reason to restore democracy in the country.
“The ECOWAS have decided that military action will be the last action and I am sure every Nigerian will agree with him that it is better to jaw jaw than to war war and I think there may be light at the end of the tunnel in terms of dialogue, in terms of the sanction imposed”, he said.
“One of the things that need to be done is to give these people a safe passage and grant them asylum, I think they can come to Nigeria or any of the countries they choose and their safety will be guaranteed and things like that”, he said.
Barrister Nggilari further said, “these are things that can be done to resolve the problem, nothing is impossible, if they feel they want to play politics they can go back to their country and play politics when normalcy is restored”.
Recalled that West African heads of state have said during a meeting in Abuja, the Nigerian seat of power on Thursday that all options including the use of force remained on the table to restore constitutional order in Niger after the July 26 coup.
The meeting had also ordered the activation of its standby force.
The 15-member ECOWAS were in an emergency summit to discuss responses to last month’s military takeover in Niger, after the coup leaders defied their earlier threat to use force to restore democracy.
The ECOWAS members have during the meeting also resolved to enforce sanctions and travel bans on those preventing the return to power of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
