A group under the auspice of Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) has called retired military heads of state in Nigeria including Generals Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babagida, and Abubakar Abdulsalami to caution President Ahmed Bola Tinubu against invading Niger Republic after exhaustion of the seven days ultimatum given to the military juntas of the country.
The group said many of the past military heads of state once experienced war and its devastating effect on Nigeria.
Calling on President Tinubu who also doubles as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) to rethink and withdraw the planned agenda of a military attack on the Niger Republic, the group said many northern Nigerians are from Niger and have relatives residing in that country.
Addressing the press at a Conference held in Kaduna, the President of NCM, Dr Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu asserted that Nigeria and Niger Republic are like sisters.
He said there is strong bond between both countries in terms of Religion, Culture, and Marital affairs.
Aliyu warned that the decision of military attack can lead to a civil war.
Avvording to hhm, Nigerian states sharing common land borders with Niger that will be on the firing line if there was war are Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno.
He noted that Tinubu in his capacity as the present Chairman of the ECOWAS has been putting all efforts towards resolving the ongoing issue in the Niger Republic by making several different consultations and also appointing delegations towards bringing an end to the conflict in that country.
Aliyu said his group believes that Diplomacy is superior to threats or the use of force that may be difficult or impossible to implement.
He opined that preventing coups is not by sanctions and threats, but by addressing the leadership deficit and corruption, curtailing negative external pressures as well as building credible institutions to provide for the needs of the people.
He said: “The Northern Consensus Movement, NCM, is worried about the President’s request of the Senate, seeking implementation of the 7-point resolution against Niger Republic, some of which involve military action, cutting off the electricity supply to Niger Republic, etc.
“But does the President know the implications of these resolutions, we doubt.
“Now the United Nations, UN, has given ECOWAS the green light to intervene militarily in the Niger Republic if within one week the new military administration in that country does not restore Presidential power to the ousted former President.
“We heard that Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali are ready to respond in any way deemed fit.
“We imagine a situation when these countries decided to start targeting each of the ECOWAS countries involved in the attack, we fear that especially Nigeria will be the major target.
“We have over one hundred thousand IDPs in Diffa alone in the Niger Republic for over 10 years now unresolved.
“So, Nigeria can’t afford to support any military joint operation of ECOWAS, especially in terms of its financial implications.
“We are also reminding Mr. President, that the North West Region that gave him the highest votes of over 5 million, during his election, which makes him the President of Nigeria today, will be swallowed first if the war takes place.
“The Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) supports a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the Imbroglio.
“We commend the Nigerian Senate for taking exception to the use of military action until possible options mentioned are exhausted.
“We fear that the resulting consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens, who go about their daily businesses will be most affected.
“We believe that Diplomacy is superior to threats or the use of force that may be difficult or impossible to implement.
“Preventing coups is not by sanctions and threats, but by addressing the leadership deficit and corruption, curtailing negative external pressure as well as building credible institutions to provide for the needs of the people.”
The Guardian
