Northern leaders warn Tinubu against going to war with Niger
By Emma Ogbuehi
As the prospect of war between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries led by Nigeria and Niger Republic looms, the umbrella Northern socio-cultural organization, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has warned President Bola Tinubu and the ECOWAS against military intervention.
On Sunday, ECOWAS directed the closure of land and air borders between member states against the Niger Republic over a military coup d’état that removed democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, from office.
The Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS, which Nigeria chairs also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military in Niger Republic to restore the ousted President.
According to ECOWAS, if the demand was not met within one week, all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, including the use of force, will be taken.
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On Friday, Tinubu wrote the Nigerian Senate to inform them of the resolutions of ECOWAS, a move many interpret as a green light for war.
But an alarmed ACF, on Friday, warned that military intervention in the West African country would have consequences for Nigeria.
The organisation, which gave the warning in a statement by its General Secretary, Murtala Aliyu, called for dialogue to resolve the issue.
According to ACF, the use of military might in the Niger Republic will not guarantee peace and stability in the ECOWAS sub-region.
The statement reads in part: “ACF, however, views with concern the unfolding events in Nigeria’s immediate neighbour, the Republic of Niger, and the potential impact on the region.
“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, 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.”
ACF noted that though military intervention might yield a temporary solution, the result will come with repercussions for Nigeria as a leader and the regional body.
“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 toe 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,” it added.
