President Bola Tinubu has suggested that military action may be considered as a means to restore democracy in Niger Republic.
However, he expressed concerns that engaging in war with Niger Republic could hinder his economic reforms in Nigeria.
Tinubu made these remarks during a meeting with Molly Phee, the United States presidential envoy and assistant secretary of state for African affairs.
His statements were reported by Ajuri Ngelale, the president’s special adviser on media and publicity.
The crisis in Niger Republic began on July 26 when the military overthrew democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
This coup was denounced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which imposed sanctions on the new regime and called for the reinstatement of constitutional order.
Recently, ECOWAS, led by Tinubu as chairperson, announced that it had initiated the mobilization of its standby force in Niger Republic, as the military junta had disregarded the bloc’s deadline to relinquish power.
Speaking to the US envoy, on Saturday, Tinubu said although he is holding ECOWAS from military intervention in Niger Republic, defending democracy in the region is sacrosanct.
“We are deep in our attempts to peacefully settle the issue in Niger by leveraging on our diplomatic tools. I continue to hold ECOWAS back, despite its readiness for all options, in order to exhaust all other remedial mechanisms,” Tinubu said.
“War is not ideal for my economic reforms, nor for the region, but the defence of democracy is sacrosanct. The ECOWAS consensus is that we will not allow anyone to insincerely buy time”
