Don’t go to war in, dialogue with coup barons and prevent misery, they tell President
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigerians abroad have joined fellow citizens at home to rail against plans by their country to go to war in Niger Republic, telling Bola Tinubu such an expedition will put Nigeria at great risk.
The Global Nigerian Diaspora Forum (GNDF) advised the President to exercise caution because every war sheds blood, breeds refugees, and spreads poverty.
“Presently, the Nigerian territory is not under attack by external aggressors known to have come from the Niger Republic,” GNDF stressed in a statement issued by its
officials, Emmanuel Ezekiel-Hart, Ifem Orji, and Mondy Gold.
“As we operate an executive presidential system of government, the people of Nigeria hold sovereign power through their elected representatives who exercise that power on their behalf and the people have the right at any time to challenge the exercise of that power when it is done in bad faith that puts Nigeria at great risk,” the statement said.
“Section 1 of the Constitution clearly makes the Nigerian Constitution supreme and binding on the President and the National Assembly [NASS].
“Therefore, we shall challenge any backdoor deals that sends our military to Niger Republic and ensure that the judiciary exercises its power to declare void any backdoor agreements, using its power under section 6 of the Constitution.
“Why have foreign powers not yet put an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine? We urge the President to reconsider starting a war in a foreign country because history serves as a constant reminder that wars rarely go as planned.
“The main danger to Nigeria’s peace and security is the uprising of Boko Haram, bandits, and unknown gunmen. The current administration needs a long-term plan to swiftly and completely end these recurring crises.
“The question then is whether going to Niger for war is for ‘peace, order and good government of the Federation’ as mandated by Section 4(2) of the Constitution? It is NOT. Neither is it a ‘LIMITED COMBAT DUTY.’”
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Related articles:
Catholic Bishops join Muslims and others to reject Tinubu’s war quest in Niger Republic
Usman Yusuf tells Tinubu, Northerners are sick of war
NYSC debunks reports of plan to send corps members to Niger Republic
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Legal requirements for engaging in war
“To satisfy the requirements of Section 5(4) (a) of the Constitution and 5(4)(b) and 5(5), which requires Nigerian national security to be under imminent threat or danger, (which is not the case under the current circumstances) the National Defence Council must note that there is absolutely zero necessity for troops deployment to Niger Republic,” the statement stressed, per Vanguard.
“The GNDF believes that the President’s desire to go to war is at the behest of foreign powers and that interest is tantamount to bowing to foreign sovereign allegiance that denigrates Nigerian national pride.
“We also believe that Nigeria should only mediate for peaceful dialogue and settlement towards political solution to avoid additional refugees across the West African borders.”
GNDF asks NASS to reject Tinubu’s war request
GNDF urged the NASS “to reject this dangerous request from the President in its entirety and rather focus on securing Nigeria’s borders and the safety of its citizens including the complete elimination of Boko Haram, bandits, and unidentified gunmen,” the group added.
“All well-meaning stakeholders including traditional, religious, and political leaders to challenge any law or approval to deploy Nigerian armed forces to the Niger Republic in the current circumstances (see the case of AG Bendel v AG Federation).
“The President to focus on addressing the needs of the public clearly and convincingly rather than waging wars abroad that history has demonstrated can never be won. This has been proven by experiences in the United States, Russia, and Great Britain.
“The judiciary to be on standby to protect Nigeria in the event that President Tinubu and National Assembly Senate President Akpabio betray Nigeria by approving the deployment of our military.”
