Coup: Tinubu Shares Reason Nigeria, ECOWAS, May Not Go to War With Niger

• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said war with Niger Republic is not ideal for ‘his economic reforms’ in Nigeria
• In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, obtained by Legit.ng, Tinubu spoke during a meeting with Molly Phee, the United States presidential envoy
• Speaking to the US envoy, Tinubu said although he is holding ECOWAS from military intervention in Niger Republic, defending democracy in the region is sacrosanct

State House, Abuja – President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, August 26, said war is not ideal for his administration’s economic reforms.

Tinubu stated that a war option is not also good for the West African region. However, “the defence of democracy is sacrosanct”.

“I continue to hold ECOWAS back”: Tinubu

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Niger Coup D’etat: Tinubu receives US envoy, gives fresh update on ECOWAS stand

He said this when he received the U.S. Presidential Envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee, at the Aso Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu’s stance was made known in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

The Nigerian leader affirmed that the crisis in Niger Republic would not deter him from concluding his “economic reform programmes” successfully.

Furthermore, Tinubu vowed that he will advance the interest of Nigeria in his approach towards ECOWAS‘ handling of the situation in Niger.

His words:

“I continue to hold ECOWAS back, despite its readiness for all options, in order to exhaust all other remedial mechanisms.

“War is not ideal for my economic reforms, nor for the region, but the defence of democracy is sacrosanct.

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Why you should lift sanctions imposed on Niger Republic, Fani-Kayode sends strong message to Tinubu

“The ECOWAS consensus is that we will not allow anyone to insincerely buy time.”

Niger: Fani-Kayode expresses reservations over Tinubu’s actions

In a piece of related news, Legit.ng reported that a former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Saturday, August 26, said the sanctions by the Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, on coup-hit Niger Republic “are taking a toll on the population”.

According to Fani-Kayode, the price of goods is rising, residents are unable to easily access cash, and people are living in the dark.

The Abuja-based All Progressives Congres (APC) chieftain also said there are mounting concerns that Nigeria’s sanctions and policies “will gravely impact the health system” in Niger.

Source: Legit.ng