The Federal Government says military action remains the last option to restore democratic rule in Niger Republic if diplomatic solutions and dialogue fail.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Ibrahim Adamu Lamuwa, stated this in Abuja while briefing the members of the diplomatic corps on the political situation in the Republic of Niger.
He said the military coup led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani in the Republic of Niger last month and the illegal detention of the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, remained condemned by all ECOWAS member countries.
The permanent secretary told the diplomatic community that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has led the organization in efforts aimed at arriving at an agreeable resolution to the crisis.
He said as a result, sanctions were meted out on Niger Republic to put pressure on the Junta to return power to President Bazoum, while negotiation was still ongoing.
Ambassador Lamuwa however called on the international community to rally around ECOWAS to ensure a return to the democratic system in Niger Republic.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier sent a team of mediators, led by former Head of state, General Abubakar Abdulsalam, to Niger, to actively engage the coup plotters and also convey the displeasure of ECOWAS at the subjugation of the Nigerien constitution.
The permanent secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs said apart from the delegation led by former head of state General Abdulsami Abubakar, a separate delegation led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe was mandated to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria on the matter adding that the objective set by President Tinubu, is to ensure a conclusive and amicable resolution of the situation in Niger.