President Bola Tinubu has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement a set of new financial sanctions against the coupists in Niger Republic as well as their associates.
His Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, told reporters this during a media briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Presidential spokesman, who pointed out that the actions so far taken against the hijackers of power in the neighbouring West African country by Nigeria were not decision singlehandedly taken by Nigeria, but were taken as instructions by a regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Ngelale, who pointed out that the actions so far directed by President Tinubu against the Niger Republic were in his capacity as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, explained that they have nothing to do with ethnic or religious consideration, as being made out in some quarters.
“I can also report that following the expiration of the deadline of the ultimatum and standing on the pre-existing consensus position of financial sanctions meted out on the military junta in Niger Republic by the bloc of ECOWAS Heads of State, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has ordered an additional slew of financial sanctions, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on entities and individuals related to or involved with the military junta in Niger Republic,” he said.
Though he did not give details of the sanctions, the President’s spokesman maintained that the sanctions are being instituted under the authority of the ECOWAS.
Nigeria has already cut off electricity transmission to its northern neighbours to pressurize the military to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
“The news is that Mr. President has directed the acting CBN Governor to levy another slew of sanctions against entities and individuals associated with the military junta in Niger public. I said that intentionally. I didn’t make a mistake, because I was given permission to make that statement and I emphasized that this is not an individual action taken by an individual President on behalf of individual nation.
“This is an action taken, yes, by ECOWAS Chairman who is the President of Nigeria, but standing on the authority provided by the consensus resolution of all ECOWAS members and heads of state with regard to financial sanctions being levied by ECOWAS Member-States against the military junta in Niger Republic.
“There is an authority that we are standing on. It is not Nigerian government’s authority, it is the authority of the resolution passed in public before now,” he clarified.
Ngelale also maintained that the actions against Niger being coordinated by President Tinubu are not personal as they are under the auspices of the ECOWAS where he is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
