Washington pressuring Tinubu to deliver on quid pro quo
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Washington is upset the junta in Niger Republic wants to prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and is mounting pressure on Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu to hasten military force to dislodge the coupists, to ensure the United States continues mining uranium in Niger, the world’s second poorest country.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has, for the second time since the coup on July 26, commended Tinubu’s leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and reiterated Washington’s support for efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger.
“I spoke today [Monday] with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. I commended President Tinubu’s leadership of ECOWAS second Extraordinary Summit on the situation in the Republic of Niger, Binken said in a statement issued on Monday.
“I noted the importance of maintaining pressure on the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) to restore constitutional order and to see President Bazoum and his family released.”
US riding on quid pro quo
Tinubu has boxed Nigeria into a corner to protect himself, having got stuck to deliver a quid pro quo for the US blocking release of his immigration and narcotics records sought by political opponents at home.
The US State Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have cited “unusual circumstances” for refusing to release Tinubu’s records in a court filing following a freedom of information request.
The agencies explained even if they were to release the records it would not happen until January 2026 at the earliest.
Former Enugu Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo has warned that Tinubu is acting the script of the US in Niger Republic to protect his doubtful election being litigated at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).
Nwodo said: “Unfortunately, the US find our President a weak ally to manipulate. When you see the positions of the opposition parties at the election tribunal, some of the disqualification matters of Mr. President, originated from the United States of America.
“The US protected him from his alleged drug trafficking and educational qualification scandals. The US frustrated the efforts of Nigerians who are trying to get evidence against the President in all of these.
“So, they have done him a favour and expect him to do them a favour in return by doing what they want, and they want their uranium which they are exploiting from Niger Republic with cheap labour.
“As the Chairman of the ECOWAS, they think they can manipulate him because they have done him favours by sustaining his election that is seriously under controversy in Nigeria. He will not object to whatever they ask him. This is certainly Western manipulation.”
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Related articles:
Tinubu’s warmongering in Niger dangerous for Nigeria, PDP warns
Don’t go to war in Niger and put Nigeria at risk! Diasporans shout out to Tinubu
Catholic Bishops join Muslims and others to reject Tinubu’s war quest in Niger Republic
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ECOWAS not happy with mixed signals from Niamey
ECOWAS has also decried threats by the Nigerien coupists to prosecute Bazoum, saying this contradicts the regime’s declared willingness to resolve the crisis peacefully, per reporting by The Guardian.
The junta said late Sunday it had gathered evidence to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger” based on “contacts Bazoum had with nationals, foreign heads of state and officials in international organisations.”
A statement ECOWAS issued on Monday criticised the mixed signals from Niamey, saying the bloc learned of the threats “with stupefaction.
“This represents yet another form of provocation and contradicts the reported willingness of the military authorities in the Republic of Niger to restore constitutional order through peaceful means.”