The political instability experienced in the Republic of Niger may have prompted an emergency meeting of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to be hosted by President Bola Tinubu in his capacity as Chairman.
A terse statement circulated by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy on Friday, noted that the meeting comes up on Sunday in Abuja.
Alake broke the information, saying, “Following the coup in Republic of Niger that has upended the constitutional political leadership in the West African country, the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu will host a special meeting of the regional leaders on Sunday, July 30 in Abuja”.
Tinubu had initially condemned the current political situation in the neighbouring country and promised that ECOWAS and the international community would do everything to defend democracy and ensure democratic governance continues to take firm root in the sub-region.
He had also mandated the President of Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon to visit Niger only to learn of the military takeover of the country.
Meanwhile, US Vice President Kamala Harris and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in separate telephone calls Thursday evening with President Tinubu had affirmed their support of the US and UN for the position taken by ECOWAS and the Nigerian leader to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic.
