The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, has warned against the use of military action in handling the military coup crisis in Niger Republic, recommending a diplomatic approach instead.

ECOWAS Parliament held a virtual extraordinary plenary session on Saturday, following the raging controversy over the ECOWAS leaders’ resort to military action in resolving the situation in the former French colony.

During the meeting presided by the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Mohamed Tunis, members took turns to express their views on the situation, with the majority warning against the use of military intervention.

This comes hours after ECOWAS leaders ordered the deployment of its standby force, following the expiration of its seven-day deadline to the Niger military junta to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.

First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Hon Idris Wase, said using military force to resolve the crisis will result in prolonged conflict, citing Russia and Ukraine as an example. He accused the subregional military chiefs of having ulterior economic motives for their alleged eagerness to deploy troops into Niger.

“We should be careful not to start what we can’t finish. When the Russia – Ukraine war started, people thought it was going to be a sharp war. A year after, the war is still lingering on with the attendant economic squander and wanton destruction of lives and properties,” he said.

“The subregional military chiefs know what they stand to benefit economically, that’s why they’re eager to militarily intervene in Niger. Most of them are corrupt.

“Any war on Niger will have adverse effect on 60 percent of Nigeria, especially, Northern Nigeria.”

Hon Linda Ikpeazu, another member of the parliament, said ECOWAS should explore diplomatic approaches. While acknowledging that inaction will eventually inspire the military in other countries to carry out coups, Ikpeazu said a diplomatic approach remains the best option, urging the regional bloc to appraise how effective diplomacy used in other countries under military rule, such as Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso was.

“How effective was the diplomatic approach ECOWAS adopted in Guinea Conakry, Mali, and Burkina Faso? The decision that ECOWAS should take in resolving the Niger political imbroglio will depend on how effective the diplomacy adopted in the countries already under military government was.

“If that’s not done, it means, we are tactically giving approval for coups, knowing that the subregional body, ECOWAS cannot do anything punitive,” she said.
ECOWAS, led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, has already rolled out a series of sanctions against the Niger military junta. The sanctions include closing the borders between Nigeria and Niger and cutting off electricity supply for the French-speaking country.

Another Nigerian lawmaker and member of the ECOWAS parliament, Senator Ali Ndume said Tinubu, in his capacity as the Nigerian President and the ECOWAS chairman, does not have the constitutional power to unilaterally cut off Niger’s electricity and close the borders without the consent of the National Assembly.

“We are the representatives of the people. Whatever action that must be taken should be dependent on what our people want.

“The ECOWAS Chairman, President Tinubu, wrote to the Nigerian Senate on the planned military intervention in Niger and the Red Chamber vehemently opposed the use of force. Instead, dialogue should be adopted in resolving the impasse.

“President Tinubu has no right to close the Niger – Nigeria border and cutting electricity without the approval of the Nigerian National Assembly. It is not the Juntas that are suffering the sanctions, rather innocent people,” he said.

Likewise, Hadja Satu Camara, another member of the ECOWAS parliament, concurred with Ndume’s viewpoints.

Camara emphasized that the welfare of citizens should take precedence over any political considerations. She noted that the current economic situation in West Africa does not align with war as the optimal means to remove the military junta in the Republic of Niger.

Adding to the discussion, Hon Salou DJibo, the Fourth Deputy Speaker from Niger Republic, acknowledged some of the resolutions put forth by the ECOWAS Heads of State.

However, he stressed the importance of utilizing dialogue to resolve the deadlock. He pointed out that the sanctions imposed on Niger are already negatively impacting regular citizens, and he emphasized that resorting to war would only exacerbate the suffering of ordinary individuals.

“War will only compound the economic woes the peoples of the subregion are already going through.

“As we speak, over a thousand trucks, loaded with goods are stranded at the border,” he said.

The lawmaker asked where the ECOWAS is going to mobilize troops to fight the Nigerian or Ivorian military If a coup happened in Nigeria or Cote’d’Iviore tomorrow. “How many borders are we going to close?”

Honorable Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante implored ECOWAS to diligently focus on and address the underlying factors responsible for coups within ECOWAS member nations. The underlying factors are said to be bad leadership and corruption that have plunged the affected nations into abject poverty.

Among a few of the parliamentarians who expressed different views is Hon Adebayo Balogun. The lawmaker said there is a clear line between intervening militarily to dislodge coupists and declaring war on a country.

According to him, ECOWAS is not declaring war on Niger but simply intervening to remove the coupists from power because Niger is a signatory to ECOWAS revised protocol on non-military intervention.

With the overwhelming voices against military intervention, the parliament took the side of the Nigerian National Assembly, which had earlier rejected Tinubu’s request to deploy troops in the neighboring country.

In the wake of Nigeria’s economic crisis exacerbated by recent forex and subsidy reforms, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to hasten efforts to stimulate economic growth for Nigerians.

The decision of Tinubu’s administration to remove fuel subsidy and deregulate the forex market orchestrated a surge in the cost of living, ushering in a new face of economic hardship that Nigerians have found unbearable.

This backdrop triggered growing calls on the government to act fast and save the country from implosion, by ameliorating people’s suffering.

In a statement issued by the Media Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday at a meeting held at the State House, Abuja with the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Forum led by former Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, Tinubu assured Nigerians that proactive efforts are underway to boost the economy.

“This economy must recover for the good and greatest number of Nigerians, and we are seriously committed to seeing through a change for the better,” he said.

President Tinubu emphasized the commitment to achieving gradual and controlled expansion, as well as improved public awareness regarding policy results. He stated that all endeavors across various sectors will be meticulously recorded and regularly assessed to validate their performance and share with the public.

“So far, we have taken some baby steps and pushed some aggressive positions,” the President said while addressing the APC professionals.

However, Nigerians have criticized the “aggressive positions” pushed by Tinubu’s administration due to its resultant consequences that have further depleted their meager spending power.

Nigeria has a monthly minimum wage of N30,000.

The president’s inactions are believed to be watering his promises to revamp the economy are his inactions. Tinubu is yet to inaugurate an economic team and ministers confirmed by the senate are yet to get to work.

Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies on May 29, during his inaugural speech, and less than a month later, the FX market was floated. The swiftness of those reforms was devoid of palliative plans to cushion their effects.

Nigerians have relied on fuel subsidy for years to buy petrol at cheaper rates. Also, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has for years, controlled the naira with pegs that put its rate at the Investor and Exporter (I&E) window around N462/$1 as of June.

But due to the abrupt reforms, fuel prices shot up as high as N617 per liter, while the naira has fallen to N950/$1 in the parallel market.

With the palliatives needed to cushion the inflationary effects of the reforms yet to be provided by the government, Nigerians appear tired of the government’s promises and assurances.

As a member of Abia State Government Economic Council, I received many messages from our community, asking for the reason why the state government and our Governor, Dr Alex Otti, bought Toyota vehicles, to immediately deepen the security challenges in some parts of the state, most especially Umunneochi and Isuikwuato LGAs express axis. There is an official response now, and I will summarize:

1. The state government placed a huge order to use Innoson Motors for this, but Innoson is already running out of capacity. The company asked the state to source from other firms: “The Governor called me [Founder of Innoson Motors]  and requested for Pickups which he needed urgently, but I told him our own had exhausted and encouraged him to patronise another company”.
2. Abia State is buying local. Yet, the purchase of these 20 vehicles from Toyota cannot wait. Innoson has received an unprecedented level of support, and will continue, because His Excellency tasked us to source everything locally. 
3. Abia State will not just be buying cars; this process will create jobs in Abia. This is from Innoson: “Due to his patronage and unprecedented support we have decided to build a service plant in Abia in line with the request of the Governor. We have also concluded plans to use Aba as a HUB for the conversion of Vehicles to CNGs”, Innoson Founder.

Good People, we all want Abia to rise. The support Mr. Governor is receiving, is appreciated, and please continue to offer that. Operation Crush is catalytic as we need security to drive investments into Abia. Certainly, if using another car brand to get it going, we hope you understand the logic. Everyone prefers Innoson. Udo diri umu Abia, di kwara obodo Nigeria (peace to Abians and the nation of Nigeria)

Innoson Motors has introduced the much talked about CNG Busses….

Sai Nigeria ?? pic.twitter.com/PVefJt1wLH

— Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) August 12, 2023

I WAS SHOCKED BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA ATTACK BECAUSE YOU’RE OUR BIGGEST SUPPORTER AND NUMBER ONE CUSTOMER-INNOSON TELLS GOVERNOR OTTI.

The Founder and CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Chief Innoson Chukwuma, CON, has expressed shock and disappointment over the misplaced negative reactions that trailed the purchase of some security vehicles by the Governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti recently.

Chief Chukwuma made his feelings known when he led some directors of the Company on a courtesy visit to the Governor of the State, Dr. Alex Otti at his Country Home, Nvosi in Isialangwa South LGA of the state.

He explained that he was the very first person Governor Otti called on phone to supply those security vehicles as a case of emergency following a request made by security agencies ahead of the Inauguration of the Security Joint Taskforce (Operation Crush) but that because he had exhausted his Pickups, he encouraged the Governor to consider patronising another company, and added that buying 20 trucks from Toyota is nothing compared to the volume of patronage he is enjoying from the Governor.

In his words “The Governor called me and requested for Pickups which he needed urgently, but I told him our own had exhausted and encouraged him to patronise another company.

He had earlier assured me even before his inauguration that he would patronise only Innoson which was the reason he used our Pickup for his inauguration parade which we delivered.

Buying 20 Pickups from Toyota is nothing compared to the patronage we have enjoyed from him. Due to his patronage and unprecedented support we have decided to build a service plant in Abia in line with the request of the Governor. We have also concluded plans to use Aba as a HUB for the conversion of Vehicles to CMGs” he concluded.

Responding to his visitors, Governor Otti thanked Chief Chukwuma and his team for coming.

The Governor made it clear that he didn’t make anything out of the social media fight because even the Pickup for his inauguration Parade was manufactured by Innoson and that he had to put Chief Chukwuma under pressure to get it ready and that his government has gone on to purchase 40 pieces of Innoson SUVs, with several pending orders yet to be delivered.

The Governor recalled their meeting in the year 2005 when he was still producing Motorcycles, and expressed joy that his perseverance led to something bigger.

The Governor disclosed that he had extended support to Chief Chukwuma during his career in the bank, a support which the Innoson boss acknowledged and still appreciates.

Governor Otti further explained that his government needed 20 Pickups urgently for the take-off of the “Operation Crush ” and that once Innoson didn’t have, he knew that only Toyota and Mitsubishi have the capacity to manufacture in large quantities and keep permanently, hence his resort to buying Toyota Pickups.

The ex bank Chief reminded Chief Chukwuma of the Service Centre and requested that it should be built before the end of the year so that Innoson vehicles can be serviced and repaired in Abia.

Governor Otti recalled their discussion during the COVID-19 period and the suggestion he made which led to the opening of a production line for Ventilators and urged the industrialist to put Aba in his industrial plans, explaining that investors are coming to the state because they have confidence in his government.

Ferdinand Ekeoma
Special Adviser to the
Governor on Media and Publicity.
12-08-2023.