Ngilarri tells ECOWAS how to end Niger Republic crisis

A former governor of Adamawa State, Barr. Bala James Nggilari, has expressed his views on the military junta in neighbouring Niger Republic that led to the sacking of the democratically elected government of Mohamed Bazoum.

He advised that a carrot-and-stick approach be adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) while suggesting that the coupists should be granted asylum in Nigeria as part of efforts to put an end to the crisis.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Senate had rejected President Bola Tinubu‘s request to deploy Nigerian troops in Niger Republic to restore democratic rule in the troubled country after the Junta.

Rather the upper legislative chamber advised Tinubu and the ECOWAS which he leads, to explore a political solution to the crisis.

Speaking to select journalists yesterday, Nggilari backed the approach of the ECOWAS under Tinubu to resolve the crisis amicably while expressing optimism that the military junta in Niger would see a reason to restore democracy in the country.

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“The ECOWAS has decided military 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, and in terms of the sanction imposed”, he said.

“One of the things that needs to be done is to give these people a safe passage and grant them asylum, I think they can come to Nigeria or other countries they choose, and their safety will be guaranteed and things like that.”

According to him, the Nigerian President, together with other 14 member African leaders, has taken a perfect step towards tackling the coup in Niger.

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”.

Recall that Niger’s junta had reportedly threatened to kill Bazoum if neighbouring countries attempted any military intervention to restore his rule.