In a recent development, former Senator Shehu Sani, who previously represented Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, has issued a warning to President Bola Tinubu. Sani urged Tinubu not to succumb to pressure from France concerning the ongoing power outage in Niger. The situation arose after Nigeria decided to cut electricity supply to its neighboring country as a measure to oppose the military junta that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders met in Abuja last Sunday and issued a one-week ultimatum to the junta led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, demanding the reinstatement of President Bazoum.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Senator Shehu Sani expressed his concern over the power crisis in Niger and emphasized that the fate of governance in the country should be determined by its people, free from external interference. As the situation remains tense, Niger’s citizens await the resolution of the power crisis and the political turmoil they are currently facing.
He said: “The reported Nigerian alleged tampering with electricity supply to Niger Republic is wrong. We must not use power supplies as a means of political blackmail.
“It will not change anything. If Niger decides to build their power station across their part of the River Niger, our Kainji Dam will be rendered useless.
“President Tinubu and ECOWAS leaders should allow the people of Niger to decide on how they want their country to be governed. Don’t be instigated by France to go to war that we don’t need.
“When we had a military regime, we fought to free ourselves; let them make their decisions.”