The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has warned Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to guard against deliberate interference in the affairs of a sovereign nation, saying that the coup in the Niger Republic, which drew sympathy from the Nigerien masses, called for caution.
It would be recalled that the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led delegation dispatched by the Nigerian President turned out to be fruitless as the coup leaders refused to grant an audience to the delegation while the military junta severed diplomatic ties with Nigeria, Togo, the United States, and France over their condemnation of the putsch.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Isuwa Dogo, the MBF said that considering the reaction of the Nigerien people to support the military takeover, it is clear that the planned deployment of troops within the Nigerien borders by the Algerian armed force predicts dark days ahead.
It further posited that President Tinubu’s letter to the Senate has ignited rumors that the possibility of engaging the coupists is already concluded, adding that informed analysts have cautioned against starting a war that could lead Nigeria into an unpredictable dilemma that may spell disastrous consequences for both countries.
Against the backdrop of clouds of war and tension, the Forum called on President Tinubu to desist from carrying out any action that may lead to the outbreak of war, adding that the level of anger demonstrated by ordinary Nigerien citizens on the streets of Niamey and other cities in the Niger Republic makes it unpopular for a military action against the junta regime.
“Nigeria, under the leadership of President Tinubu, must guard against deliberate interference in the affairs of a sovereign nation. Understanding the dynamics and intricate relationship between the Niger Republic and Nigerian states that share borders should serve as lessons in avoiding any form of warfare. With the coup in the Niger Republic attracting sympathy from the Nigerians masses over the sacking of the democratically elected leadership, caution should be exercised.
“The present times call for caution and statesmanship in dealing with the little smoke of insurrection blowing across the Niger Republic. Understanding the intricate relationship between Niger and Nigeria makes it imperative for President Tinubu and ECOWAS to tread carefully. As it stands, Nigeria should never allow itself to plunge into an avoidable war. The lesson of the coup should not be lost on leaders who deployed underhand dealings to assume the mantle of leadership through compromising the electoral process”.
The MBF called on President Tinubu to focus attention on addressing the monsters of insecurity shredding Nigeria, including the harsh economic suffering unleashed on the masses following the withdrawal of fuel subsidies that has thrown millions of Nigerian citizens into dungeons of hopelessness and despair.
It added that the best medicine against coups is the enthronement of justice and equity for all, adding that for ambitious military officers to be discouraged from staging coups, democracy must be cleansed of rogue leaders thrown up by flawed electoral processes.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
