Our reporter/ The planned invasion of Niger Republic by the Tinubu led government following the coup d’etat in the tiny West African country is receiving a big push back from the the North as the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Senators and other prominent leaders from the region are opposed to the move.
President Tinubu and regional body (ECOWAS) had threatened military intervention in Niger following the coup in the country.
On Friday, the president wrote to the Senate informing them of his government plan to embark on military intervention in Niger if necessary.
In his letter, Tinubu sought the backing of the legislature on the cutting off of electricity to the country among other measures.
“Following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected govt in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communiqué,” Tinubu’s letter read in part.
Also on Friday, the Federal Government announced the closure of the Nigerian border with Niger.
But reacting to the threat by the Tinubu led government to intervene militarily in Niger, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), on Friday warned the Nigerian government and the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) against the use of military force over the Niger Republic coup.
The forum issued this warning in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Murtala Aliyu.
The ACF noted that the peaceful relations with border communities and stability of the entire region should be paramount in dealing with the Niger situation.
While condemning the July 26th coup in Niger led by Brigadier General Abdoulrahame Tchiani, Aliyu asked the African Union and ECOWAS to dialogue with the coupists as one of the civil measures to restore democratic governance in that country.
The forum noted that the use of military force against the coup plotters in Niger will not guarantee peace and stability in the ECOWAS sub-region, adding that the military option shouldn’t be a prerequisite for the international community “s continuing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the 21st century.
“ACF however views with concern the unfolding events in Nigeria’s immediate neighbour, Republic of Niger and the potential impact on the region, Aliyu said.
“Nigeria and Niger Republic share long historical border of more than one thousand five hundred kilometres with families, communities sharing common facilities including farmlands, markets , cultural bonds and languages for many centuries predating the trans-Saharan trade and colonial times.
“The measures being contemplated should have taken into consideration the historical antecedents and mutual interests of the two countries and weighed the consequences of the use of military force.
“While the ACF recognises the ECOWAS position to bring pressure to bear on the perpetrators, but nevertheless the military option shouldn’t be a prerequisite for Nigeria’s and the Community’s continuing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the 21st century.
“Certainly, not an adventure to be led by Nigeria. Democracy has taken root in Nigeria and her leadership role has inspired many countries in ECOWAS to embrace a democratic governance structure.
“We shouldn’t throw that away for some misadventure against our brothers and sisters on the other side prejudicial to our Non -non-interference in a country’s internal affairs posture and attendant legal implications.
“ECOWAS is a shining example of a functional Regional Economic Cooperation (REC) on the continent which should be sustained.
“We believe the peaceful relations with our border communities and stability of the entire region should be paramount.
“A military intervention might yield a temporary solution but the repercussions on Nigeria as a leader and the regional body would impact negatively on future relations and a herculean task to rebuild.
“To this end, ACF notes that while it supports the position to restore democratic rule in Niger, it calls on the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government under the able Chairmanship of President Bola Tinubu;
“…that it should tow the path of dialogue and diplomacy and certainly not force, in resolving the current impasse in Niger in the interest of peaceful coexistence with our brotherly neighbour and stability of the ECOWAS region.”
In a related development, the Northern Senators Forum on Friday also cautioned against the use of military power toward tackling the military coup in Niger Republic, and called for diplomatic options to address the situation.
Senator Suleiman Kawu(NNPP-Kano), the spokesperson for the forum, said this when he briefed newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
“The forum under the leadership of Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), has noted with concern and condemn in entirety the unfortunate development in Niger Republic, where the military forcefully upstaged a democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
“The Northern Senators also take cognisance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our dear President, Bola Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic.
“The emphasis however, is that we should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in Niger Republic,” he said.
Kawu added: “We also take exception to use of the of military force until other avenues as mentioned above are exhausted as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who go about their daily business.
“Besides, about seven northern states who share border with Niger Republic namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno will be negatively affected.
“We are also aware of the situation of Mali, Burkina Faso and Libya, which may affect the seven northern states, if military force is used.”
Atiku, Shehu Sanni also kicks…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Shehu Sanni also took to Twitter to warn against any military solution to the crisis in Niger.
In a tweet on Thursday evening, Atiku faulted the plan, saying using military hostilities may exacerbate the status quo.
According to him, the crisis requires diplomatic engagements which must mean that the channels for dialogue should be well sustained.
“The military intervention in the Republic of Niger has created tension across the West Africa sub-region, and it is a development that has caused international attention to that neighbouring country of ours,” he said.
“The putsch is even more worrisome because the number of states that have witnessed military intervention in the last three years in the subregion is increasing.”
On his part, former Senator Shehu Sanni on Friday urged the senate not to approve any military action against neighbouring Niger.
“The Nigerian Senate should NOT approve any military action against Niger Republic.This country should not be plunged into war and eventually stuck in war in the Sahel.President Tinubu shouldn’t allow himself to be misled by foreign powers.Saudi in Yemen,America in Afghanistan and now Russia in Ukraine should teach us a lesson that war doesn’t end in days,weeks or months”. he tweeted.
“Senators should weigh the implications and consequences of their decisions,especially those senators representing states along the Niger Border”.
“Weaponising electricity supplies to Niger is also condemnable.
President Tinubu should continue to explore diplomatic channels and save the lives of those who will be sacrificed.That’s my view”.
Leave a Reply