The Northern Senators Forum has cautioned against the use of military power toward tackling the military coup in Niger Republic, calling for diplomatic options to address the situation.

Sen. Suleiman Kawu(NNPP-Kano), the spokesperson for the forum, said this when he briefed journalists in Abuja on Friday.

He said the senators said although the senators condemned the coup, resolving the situation through political and diplomatic means was more appropriate. 

“The Northern senators also take cognisance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our dear President, Bola Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic,” he said. “The emphasis, however, is that we should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in the Niger Republic.”

Mr Kawu added, “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.”

He stressed that military intervention in the neighbouring country would affect Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Yobe, Borno, Jigawa, and Zamfara, which share borders with the country. 

“We are also aware of the situation in Mali, Burkina Faso and Libya, which may affect the seven northern states if military force is used, ” he said. 

He added that there would be serious implications for Nigeria if military force was considered without exhausting all diplomatic channels.

“As democrats and representatives of the people, we hereby urge our colleagues to observe due diligence in invoking section 5 sub-section (4) (a) and (b),” he said. 

(NAN)