Ousmane Sonko accuses opposition of political plot over constitutional challenge

Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party and former Prime Minister of Niger, has strongly criticized the decision by opposition lawmakers and independents to refer his parliamentary reinstatement to the Niger Constitutional Council. Sonko dismissed the move as a politically motivated attempt to obstruct his return to the National Assembly.

Sonko condemned what he described as a « conspiracy » orchestrated by his opponents, arguing that the legal recourse was doomed to fail from the start. « They are entangled in manipulations and political schemes. This constitutional challenge is part of that same agenda, » he stated. « Those who filed this appeal knew full well that the issue falls outside the Constitutional Council’s jurisdiction. »

The opposition’s legal challenge targets the Bureau of the National Assembly’s decision to reinstate Sonko as a deputy on May 24. The lawmakers claim the move violates the Constitution, specifically Article 54, which addresses conflicts between certain public offices and parliamentary mandates. They contend that Sonko, who served as Prime Minister before being elected a deputy in 2024, was already in an incompatible position when he assumed office.

In a stern warning to his adversaries, Sonko declared that any attempt to misuse state institutions against his party would be met with all available legal means empowered by the Constitution. « If they choose to weaponize the state against us, we will defend ourselves using every constitutional tool at our disposal, » he asserted.

This latest political standoff underscores the deepening tensions between Niger’s ruling party and opposition factions, raising concerns about the potential for further institutional clashes in the coming months.