From Our Correspondent
The Federal Government has imposed a new set of sanctions on groups, organisations and individuals that may be supporting the military junta in the Republic of Niger.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to President on Media and Publicity, announced this while briefing State House Correspondents, Tuesday in Abuja.
Ngelale said President Bola Tinubu has directed acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement this directive.
According to him, this is in accordance with the ECOWAS protocol.
“This followed the expiration of ultimatum meted out on the military junta by ECOWAS Heads of State.
“Such directive is still standing on the pre-existing consensus position of financial sanctions.
“President 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.
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On deadline given to the junta on Sunday, Ngelale decried media reports linking the decision of ECOWAS to President Tinubu.
“Concerning the ultimatum given to the military Junta in Niger Republic, the ECOWAS mandate and ultimatum is not a Nigerian ultimatum.
“The office of President Tinubu, also serving as the chairman of ECOWAS, seeks to emphasize this point.
“Certain domestic and international media coverage tend towards personalisation of ECOWAS position to his person and to our nation individually.
“It is because of this that Mr President has stated unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum issued by ECOWAS is that of ECOWAS’s position,” he said.
Ngelale said the president, following the expiration of ultimatum given by ECOWAS, has widened consultations internationally but most especially domestically.
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He said the consultations include interfaces with state governors in Nigeria bordering Niger Republic.
Such consultations cover various fallouts and outcomes of the unfortunate situation in that country.
“President Tinubu, wishes to emphasize that the response of ECOWAS to the military coup in Niger has been and will remain devoid of ethnic and religious sentiments and considerations.
‘’The regional bloc is made up of all sub-regional ethnic groups, religious groups and all other forms of human diversity.
“And the response of ECOWAS, therefore, represents all of these groups and not any of the groups individually.
“All options are still being considered as extraordinary summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government holds Thursday in Abuja”.
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