Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has urged Nigerians to disregard reports circulating on social media the that Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Niger, Mohammed Sani Usman, was on Friday, 25th August, 2023, expelled and given 48 hours to leave the country.
Reacting to the misinformation, Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said all diplomatic and mediation routes are still fully being explored in order to resolve the impasse.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President of ECOWAS is deeply concerned about prioritizing the wellbeing of the people of Niger, and we are committed to working towards the swift resolution of the situation, remember we share centuries of brotherhood and history” he said.
Amb Tuggar once more reiterated Nigeria and ECOWAS’ position that though mediation and an amicable resolution was being pursued in restoring democratic governance, the use of force still remained an option of last resort.
The commitment to the restoration of democratic constitutional order in Niger Republic is the basis of the ECOWAS resolution ordering the activation of the ECOWAS standby force.
“A swift and peaceful return to democratic status quo is in everyone’s interest” he added.
He urged media platforms and citizen journalists to only share verified reports on social media and news blogs in order not to derail efforts at resolving issues in Niger.
This was contained in a press statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy Alkasim Abdulkadir.
The press release further stated that ECOWAS and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to provide updates as diplomatic efforts unfold in Niger Republic.