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UPDATE

Yesterday, the United States House of Representatives removed its speaker Mr. Kelvin McCarthy, a Republican from office in a vote of 216 to 210.

His removal was spearheaded by eight rebellious far right wing Congressmen led by Representative Matt Gaetz who joined their Democratic counterparts in ousting the Speaker.

It’s the first time a House Speaker will be removed from office in such manner. The House is currently on recess for one week and a replacement is already being considered among the other top Republican Congressmen.

Mr. Kelvin McCarthy has already ruled out the idea of running again.

“Behind every perfect social media post is a normal person with normal life’s problems. So when next you are scrolling through social media and you start feeling inadequate, remember you are comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel.”
~Lachlan Brown

Northern senators to Tinubu: Military intervention in Niger may affect seven Nigerian states
By Admin

The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has asked President Bola Tinubu to exhaust all diplomatic means in resolving the crisis in Niger Republic.

Instantnaija.com reported that, Suleiman Kawu, the spokesperson of the forum, who spoke in Abuja on Friday, warned that deploying Nigerian troops to the Niger Republic will hurt seven northern states —Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno —sharing borders with the country.

Niger was given until Sunday of this week by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore expelled President Mohamed Bazoum or face harsher sanctions.

The senators from the north encouraged the president to concentrate on diplomatic and political strategies to bring back democracy in the Niger Republic.

"The forum, led by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), has noted with concern and strongly condemned the unfortunate development in the Niger Republic, where the military overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum's democratically elected government," Kawu was quoted as saying by NAN.

The senators from the north acknowledge the efforts made by the ECOWAS leaders, who were led by our dear President Bola Tinubu, to resolve the situation in the Niger Republic.

But the emphasis is on using diplomatic and political tools to bring back a democratic administration in the Niger Republic.

We oppose the use of military force until all other options have been explored because doing so will result in casualties among law-abiding civilians going about their daily lives.

Additionally, the Niger Republic's border states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno would suffer an adverse impact.

We are also aware of the circumstances in Libya, Mali, and Burkina Faso, which could have an impact on the seven northern states if force is utilized.

"We hereby urge our colleagues to exercise due diligence in relying upon section 5 sub-section (4) (a) and (b) of the constitution," the statement reads.

JUST IN: Details of Senate’s Closed-Door Session Emerge, Tackle Tinubu’s Military Plan in Niger

The Nigerian Senate has tackled President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Niger Republic in response to the recent military coup.

Instantnaija.com reports that the senators, who are in a closed-door session, said they were against any use of force against the Nigerien government.

They also rejected Tinubu’s proposal to cut off electricity supplies to Niger Republic.

The senators said they were concerned that military action would only escalate the situation in Niger Republic and could lead to further violence.

They also said that cutting off electricity supplies would hurt ordinary Nigeriens who had nothing to do with the coup.

Instantnaija.com quoted a source who gave an update on the close-door session:

“The senators are in an Executive closed door Session now (without the press or anyone) discussing about whether to use force/military action in Niger Republic. Majority of the Senators are against deployment of soldiers and are even against the power supply cut-off as already announced by the Nigerian government.

“Senators are still speaking and most of the Senators are vehement against any deployment of soldiers in any form. Deliberations are ongoing and Senate President is appealing for us to endorse the steps President Tinubu has taken so far, but the Senators vehemently rejected his suggestion and appeal,” the source revealed.

Tinubu’s letter addressed to the Senate and received by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Friday had partly read, “Following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected govt. In a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.

“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling excercise. Cutting off Electricity supply to Niger Republic; mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communiqué.

“Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic; blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports; embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions particularly via social media.

“Military build-up and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.”

Instant Naija Express news update

The generational Lionel Messi

APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, received in audience representatives of the ECOWAS Election Monitoring Team, led by former Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan, & former President of Ghana, Mr John Mahama, at his residence in Abuja, today February 28.