UNITED-NATIONS POLAC Commends Tinubu on ECOWAS’ REPORT
Re: I’ve been restraining ECOWAS from swooping on Niger junta – Tinubu
The Country President of the United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UNITED-NATIONS POLAC) Amb. Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies has commended the President of Nigeria and Chairman of ECOWAS, President ‘Bola Tinubu following today’s report, of August 25, 2023, where the President explains, “I’ve been restraining ECOWAS from swooping on Niger junta” – Tinubu.
In the news report, “President Bola Tinubu says he’s been holding back other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States from executing their collective threat against the military junta in Niger Republic.
“Tinubu, who hosted a delegation of Islamic scholars (Ulamas), on Thursday, urged the clerics to expedite progress in their ongoing dialogue with the military junta in order not to incur the wrath of ECOWAS.
Prof. Adesanya-Davies, the UN-POLAC Country President exclaims, “This is a great step in right direction, once again, kudos to the wisdom of the elder statesman President as always and usual.” We cannot continue to continue to go to war in Africa,” she added.
Thus, “the Ulamas had since been engaged in discussions with the military junta to facilitate the restoration of constitutional democratic governance in Niger Republic.
The Ulamas delegation to the Villa was led by Sheikh Bala Lau, who briefed President Tinubu comprehensively on the outcome of their interface with the Niger junta.” The briefing followed the Ulamas’ two most recent visits to Niger Republic.
The Islamic leaders said the military junta was open to deepening dialogue with ECOWAS as more steps are being taken to forestall armed conflict, with a more detailed acceptance of the ECOWAS position by Niger military council officials.
President Tinubu in his response to the delegation of Ulamas, against the backdrop of ethnic rumours peddled by domestic political figures inside and outside of the country, stressed that he’s in the vanguard of a peaceful resolution of the crisis among hawkish individuals urging swifter intervention.
“I am managing a very serious situation. If you take ECOWAS aside, other people will react, those who are outside of our control. I am the one holding those sides back. I am the one holding back ECOWAS,” he said.
Tinubu while addressing the urgency of the situation, added, “‘Even this morning, I have been inundated with phone calls on the readiness of countries with their military force and contributions. However, I told them to wait. I am meeting with the Ulamas and I will get back to you.”
He then told the Islamic delegation that the military junta must be held accountable for endangering the well-being and lives of the entire people of Niger Republic.
”They cannot use the gun given to them to protect the sovereignty of the country and turn it against the people of the country,” he said.
The United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC) had initially congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his assumption as the office of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria when he took the Oath of Office as Nigeria’s 16th President on Monday, 29th May, 2023.
Our thousands of members nationwide who always take action to address the underlying causes and causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education and unequal distribution of resources, appreciate your current national and international leadership and gestures Mr. President sir.
UN-POLAC is gratified that the elder statesman has been taking steps in positive directions since his inauguration to restore and ensure peace and democratic governance in Nigeria and Africa by the special grace of the Almighty God.
We pray that the good Lord will continue to grant you robust health, divine wisdom to provide and long life; with unprecedented productive and impactive leadership which will enhance PEACE and the standard quality of lives of the people both in Nigeria and Africa, while we wish you all the best in all your endeavours.
In a similar report, “The Nigerian Senate has rejected an option of military operations in the Nigeria’s neighbouring Niger Republic, however, calling on the ECOWAS Parliament and other leaders to condemn the coup d’etat in the country.
According to the Nigerian Senate, the Niger political impasse should be addressed politically rather than using military action.
Tinubu had written the Senate on Friday, seeking for the implementation of the Resolutions of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on the political situation in Niger Republic.
The communique issued by the ECOWAS leaders chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the chairman, stated that military action would be carried against any country that forcefully toppled a democratically elected government.
But considering the executive communication during a closed-door session that lasted for more than two hours on Saturday, which was raised by the Senate leader, Bamidele Opeyemi, the Senate rejected military action and insisted on engaging with the Nigerian President on resolving the issue.
“At our executive session, the Senate condemned in totality the coup that took place in Niger Republic.
“The Senate commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other Heads of State of ECOWAS on their prompt response.
“The Senate recognizes the fact that President Tinubu, by the virtue of his correspondence, has not asked that we should approve a request to go to war, but he expressed a wish to solicit support in the successful implementation of the ECOWAS communique.
Speaking further, the Senate President said the Senate was calling on the President of Nigeria, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS, to further engage leaders to strengthen political options in resolving the political situation in Niger.
“The Senate called on the ECOWAS Parliament to rise to this and condemn the military coup in Niger and to resolve the impasse,” Akpabio added.
Meanwhile, the Northern Senators Forum has also condemned the Niger coup, but rejected planned military action against the Junta.
The Northern Senators, who cautioned against the use of military power in Niger, added that Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should use diplomatic channel to address the situation rather than military might.
“The Northern Senators also take cognizance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our Dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic.
They said, “The emphasis, however, should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in the Niger Republic.
“We also take exception to the use of military force until other avenues as mentioned above are exhausted as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who go about their daily business. spokesman of the group”, Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, said.
Adesanya-Davies while commending the efforts of President Bola Tinubu similarly applauds the Nigerian Senators as well as the Northern Senators for their joint positive involvements and contributions to ensure PEACE and sanity is restored back to Niger republic.
She enjoins ECOWAS, UN and UNESCO to remember the, “General Assembly resolution, declaring 2001 – 2010 onwards as decades of peace and non-violence.
We would recall the mandate of the UN-POLAC’s is to enhance the effectiveness of the UN millennium development goals towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) as well as sustain UNESCO Culture of Peace Programme particularly the maintenance of peace and security and the restoration of human dignity to all, all over the world.
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