Former Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned against going to war with the military junta in Niger Republic, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should rather adopt a diplomatic approach which was a better option.
George gave this counsel in an open letter written to President Tinubu on planned military invasion of Niger Republic, copy of which was made available to newsmen in Lagos, saying he was speaking from his background as a Nigerian, a retired General in the Nigerian military, a patriot and a war tactician.
The PDP chieftain, who spoke in reaction to move by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to force the military junta out of power in Niger Republic and reinstall the deposed President Bazoum, however, commended President Tinubu for sending a delegation consisting of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, a retired Brigadier-General, to meet the Military High Command in Niger to dialogue with the new leaders.
George said sending the delegation was better, noting that diplomacy was always a better option to war as, according to him, war is not a tea party, adding that it would have been better if the full Nigerian colouration was reflected in that delegation led by Gen. Abubakar.
The former military administration of old Ondo State, while making the call for Nigerian colouration of the Abubakar-led delegation, observed that this is so because diplomats were trained for a situation like this, declaring that “what is happening in Niger right now is not only for the military.”
“First of all, you have done the right thing by sending a delegation consisting of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, a retired Brigadier-General, to meet the Military High Command in Niger.
“It is okay to send a delegation. 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,” he said.
Besides, George, who is also the Atona Oodua of the Source, said it quite better to first solve the problem at home, “before going international with a ‘Big Brother’ posture,” reminding President Tinubu quickly of his last national broadcast where he “even admitted that Nigerians are going through a lot and everything is being done to alleviate their suffering.”
The PDP chieftain said the pains the citizens were currently passing through currently with “no food, no financial power to buy fuel, no light, no money, among others, wondering what the country “going to Niger Republic with full military power will achieve.”
This was just as Chief George quickly recalled that Nigeria some years past almost singularly, financed ECOMOG military operations in Liberia and Sierra- Leone when the nation’s economy was bouyant, querying: “Which economy are we going to use now to finance a full military operation in Niger Republic, when Mali and Burkina Faso have threatened to take sides with Niger Republic?”
“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 another hand, and some other African countries, are playing behind the scene? 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 properties?
“I saw a video today of some Nigeriens, on a road show, backing Tchiani and abusing you. That may have been arranged by the coupists quite alright but do we need that type of distraction now when everything is being done to ensure that Nigeria moves its economy to the next level?
“Do we know the involvement of Russians because of the Uranium in Niger? In Nigeria, the electoral process is yet to be concluded, the palliatives you promised because of the removal of fuel subsidy payment are still in the air, so why do we want to send our soldiers to engage in a needless war?
“In ECOMOG, Nigeria paid for almost everything. But the economy then was different from what we have now.
“We all know that Nigeriens, directly or indirectly, are fighting the French because of the Assimilation Policy which has affected the Francophone speaking countries, unlike what we have in English speaking countries, like Nigeria.
“We should think twice before entering another country militarily. Don’t start what you cannot finish.
“Niger is one of the largest (land border) countries in the world and also one of the poorest. What exactly do we gain if we go to war in Niger? What? So that people can praise us as a defender of democracy? When people are dying at home, do we need that type of commendation from anybody?” he further queried.
George declared pointedly that war was not easy, warning that President Tinubu should please not force Nigerians to engage in an endless war, noting sadly that despite its mineral wealth, Niger Republic had been held down by its leadership for decades.
According to him, more than 75 per cent of Nigeriens are poor and uneducated, saying that at the right time, the Nigerians would at the right time, get rid of Tchiani if they don’t want him.
“Let Nigeriens deal with their rot and let us focus on how to save our own situation back home,” he counseled.
“I am sure you know that seven Northern states – Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno – share a 1,608 kilometres long border with five regions in Niger Republic. In case of any war, residents of these states will be direct targets of bullets and missiles. This can also lead to a resurgence of criminal activities in the border areas.
“Also, some countries, such as Algeria, Libya, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali share borders with Niger Republic. Can we trust these countries to support us militarily and otherwise in case of a war with Niger Republic?
“In all of these, we should ask ourselves, why did we finance a rail line to Maradi during the President Muhammadu Buhari administration?
“Russia invaded Ukraine over a year ago. Thousands of people – soldiers and civilians – have been killed, billions of dollars worth of properties have been destroyed and there is still no end in sight.
“In International Relations and Politics, you protect your national interest first. Burkina Faso and Mali openly declared that they would support Niger. Can we also trust Chad which has been under military rule since April 2021? Are we sure this move to invade Niger Republic will not affect ECOWAS?” he further warned.
“Is this the right time to spend the money Nigeria doesn’t have to fight in another country?
“Politically, economically, socially, we are still in a quagmire. Then you want to add the fourth one: Warfare. Anybody who has been in the military will tell you war is not an easy thing. We must be careful.
“Thank God you have started the diplomatic move. Let the envoys continue the diplomatic discussion in Niger. War is not a tea party,” he added.
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