Group makes four requests of President Tinubu as ECOWAS orders deployment of troops

A group under the aegis of Concerned Citizens has advised President Bola Tinubu on the need to align ECOWAS and the national interest.

The group in an open letter to the President stressed the need to “Create conditions for the restoration of Track 1 as well as Track 2 diplomacy by making a gesture to the putschists through measures such as the withdrawal of the threat of use of force.

The signatories to the letter are A. B. Mahmoud SAN, Prof Jibrin Ibrahim, Gen (rtd) M. L. Agwai, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Amb Fatima Balla, Prof M. J. Kuna, Dr Kole Shettima, Dr Hussaini Abdu, Malam Kabiru Yusuf, Mrs Maryam Uwais, Kabiru Adamu, Mouftah Baba Ahmed, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Dr Yahya Hashim and Dr Aisha Oyebode.

Some of the suggestions they made include: “Immediate deployment of Track 2 diplomacy through traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society to urge the junta to open doors to diplomatic discussions between the two governments – Nigeria and Niger as well as the Authority of Heads of State of ECOWAS.

“Provide assurances to the Nigerien people of Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining friendship and fraternal relations with the government and people of Niger.

“Improve Nigeria’s strategic communication showing actions undertaken are in tandem with our long-standing commitment to the protection and consolidation of democracy within Nigeria, ECOWAS and Africa.

“Make clear our collective resolve towards the full restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.”

Recall that ECOWAS has ordered the Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff to immediately activate its standby force with all its elements after an extraordinary meeting with the Heads of State on Thursday, August 10.