I’m predisposed to war in Niger, we must defend democracy – Tinubu

• His assertion is contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity
• He, however, said war with the Niger Republic is not ideal for his economic reforms in Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu says the option of military action in Niger Republic may be explored in a bid to restore democracy in the country.

He, however, said war with the Niger Republic is not ideal for his economic reforms in Nigeria.

Tinubu made this known on Saturday during a meeting with Molly Phee, the United States presidential envoy and assistant secretary of state for African affairs.

His assertion is contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity.

The crisis in Niger Republic began on July 26 when the country’s military toppled the democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

The coup was condemned by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which imposed sanctions on the new regime and called for the restoration of constitutional order.

Recently, ECOWAS, chaired by Tinubu, said it had begun the activation of its standby force in Niger Republic after the military junta defied 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”