Chief Olabode George, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to think deeply before intervening in restoring democracy to Niger Republic by returning the country ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power.
Chief Olabode is a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a letter addressed to President Tinubu, Chief Olabode noted that Nigeria had numerous challenges and the president should focus on solving the challenges facing Nigeria, rather than embarking on “a needless war which he cannot finish and which can also have consequences on Nigerians because seven Northern states share borders with Niger.”
In the letter, PDP Stewart advised Tinubu to think twice before entering another country militarily.
“You may have been told that even a Brigade of the Nigerian Army, commanded by a Colonel, can crush the soldiers in Niger Republic.
My observations: “First of all, you have done the right thing by sending a delegation consisting of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar III (a retired Brig.—Gen.), to meet the Military High Command in Niger. It is okay to send a delegation.”
Chief George said rather than go to war with Niger Republic, Nigeria should use diplomacy to resolve the imbroglio in the country.
“Diplomacy is always a better option to war. To jaw, jaw is better than war, war. But, I believe, it would have been better if the full Nigerian colouration was reflected in that delegation.
“Some diplomats (serving or retired) should have been included in the delegation. Diplomats are trained for a situation like this. What is happening in Niger right now is not only for the military.“
Will this not lead to the collapse of ECOWAS? Do we really know the type of partisan game Western Powers, on one hand, Russia and China, on the other hand, and some other African countries, are playing behind the scenes? Can we really trust any one of them? Should Nigeria’s interest not play a major role before taking any decision of this gargantuan dimension which can lead to loss of lives and destruction of property?” he asked.
