The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has refuted reports suggesting that its leader, President Tinubu, proposed a transition plan for Nigeria. The ECOWAS Commission in Abuja issued a statement condemning the French-language news reports circulating on Agence France-Presse (AFP) online platforms as false. The commission clarified that there is no such transitional proposal for Niger, emphasizing that the military authorities in Niger must restore constitutional order immediately by releasing and reinstating President Bazoum.
The response by the ECOWAS Commission comes after AFP published a report on its online platforms stating that President Bola Tinubu, who also heads ECOWAS, had suggested a nine-month transition back to democracy for Niger. President Tinubu was quoted as saying that if Niger’s military authorities are sincere, such a transition proposal could be replicated in Niger. The report also mentioned that ECOWAS sanctions on Niger would not be lifted until positive adjustments were made by the regime.
The statement from AFP sparked confusion and debate, with ECOWAS clarifying that there is no proposed transition plan for Niger and reiterating its call for the restoration of constitutional order in the country.
