Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani has urged the military-led governments of Niger and other Sahel countries to return to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Sani made the call on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in a post on his X account while reacting to the security situation in the region.
He said the recent attacks in Niamey, the capital of the Niger Republic, showed how vulnerable the country’s military government remained and pointed to the growing security challenges facing the Sahel.
“Today’s attacks on Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic once again reflects the vulnerability and fragility of the ruling military regime and the dangerous security trend in the subregion,” Sani said.
The former senator also criticised the continued use of military coups to form governments, saying Nigeria had experienced similar periods in the past.
“No government installed by military coup stays longer without a counter coup. We have been through that phase in our history,” he said.
Sani called on Niger and other Sahel countries that have left ECOWAS to reconsider their decision and return to the regional organisation.
‘Return to ECOWAS’ – Shehu Sani urges Niger, other Sahel states