NLC kicks against using military force, seeks dialogue to resolve impasse
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Using military force to dislodge the coupists in Niger Republic is not a good idea, and it will backfire on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly on Nigeria where President Bola Tinubu is spearheading the gambit.
This is the take of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which warned the disadvantages in the use troops to remove the junta outweigh the benefits.
The NLC implored the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to listen to the wise counsel of people before rushing into decisions that would have adverse consequences on member states.
It also warned the ECOWAS authority not to allow itself to be used by forces outside the region or the African continent, such as the United States and Russian.
A statement issued by NLC President Joe Ajaero recounted that the second extraordinary summit of the Authority of ECOWAS (Committee of Heads of State/Governments) on August 10 issued a communique “directing the Committee of Chief of Defence Staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately.”
Ajaero said: “It will amount to stating the obvious that we at the Nigeria Labour Congress are averse to military rule. Indeed the history of the struggle for democratic rule in Nigeria cannot be complete without mentioning the illustrious contribution of the Labour movement.”
“Despite our unimpeachable credentials in the popular struggle against military rule, we would strongly counsel against the use of military force to remove the military junta in Niger Republic as the disadvantages clearly outweigh the benefits.
“The disadvantages range from putting in danger the lives of the deposed President Bazoum and his family to the destabilisation of the entire region, including Northern Nigeria, and loss of many lives in and out of the battle field.
“Equally of significance is the unintended possibility of turning Niger into a fertile territory for proxy wars. Even after the war is over, the region must brace itself for raised acts of terrorism or insurgency just as it might signal the end of ECOWAS as we know it today giving the scenario of ten members fighting five.”
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ECOWAS should have ‘a mind of its own’
“Suspicions are rife that the ECOWAS leadership is trying to pull out of the fire the nut for and on behalf of another or others. While we cannot ascertain the veracity of these claims, ECOWAS must conduct itself in such a manner that its citizens and the world would believe it has a mind of its own,” the statement added, per reporting by Vanguard.
“Coupled with this, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress have reason to believe that ECOWAS in part is victim of its double standards or discriminatory policies as it was in some instances seen as condoning and even celebrating coups in the extant matter of Niger Republic.
“We equally do believe that ECOWAS did not exhaust the process of dialogue before beating war drums. The missions to Niamey were seen as an afterthought.
“One of the consequences of weaponising electricity supply to Niger Republic is the right of proportionate responsorial action by way of Niger Republic damming the Niger River with unimaginable effects on our echo system.
“Beyond all this, time has come for us to ask ourselves if we have the economic strength to prosecute this war. Even seasoned Generals do admit that we can often predict the beginning of wars but can seldom tell how they end.
“As we stated at the beginning of this statement, we are advocates of democracy and will do all that is necessary to promote and preserve it.
“However, what will preserve democracy in our territories will not be the threat or use of military force against sovereign nations but the observance of the core values and rules of democracy.
“It is up to our Presidents or political leaders to do the needful. It is in consideration of these that we join other organisations and respected voices in saying No to War!”