Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. As seven days ultimatum provided to Niger Republic coup plotters under the leadership of Abdourahamane Tchiani by the Economic Community of West African States has ended on Sunday 5th of August many Nigerians continue to expressed their views as one of the options of the regional body is to use force on the Junta as stated by ECOWAS during its first meeting after the Niger Civilian government was toppled in July.
Northern Nigeria is the region that shares borders with Niger Republic as it shares cultural ,historical and economic and religious ties with people of the west African country which to some extent regarded themselves as brothers and sisters.
So going by that closeness Citizens of Nigeria from the North part consider any attempt to fight Niger Republic as a war against them.
Northern Senators kick against Military action on Niger Republic
Northern Nigeria has a high number of legislatures at both chambers of the National Assembly that include the Senate and House of Representatives .
Northern Senators Forum is a group of senators from 19 Northern States meant to protect the interest of their region.
Recently the Forum under the leadership of Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi State advised the Tinubu’s government to avoid all military threats against the neighboring Niger and urged the ECOWAS leadership to consider diplomatic options in tackling the Niger’s issue.
The Forum stated its position through its spokesperson Suleiman Kawu Sumaila who is a senator from Kano State.
“The forum under the leadership of Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi), has noted with concern and condemned in entirety the unfortunate development in Niger Republic where the military forcefully upstaged a democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum.
The Northern Senators also take cognisance of the efforts of the ECOWAS leaders under the chairmanship of our dear President, Bola Tinubu, in resolving the situation in Niger Republic.
“The emphasis however, is that we should be focused on political and diplomatic means to restore democratic government in Niger Republic,
We also take exception to the use of military force until other avenues as mentioned above are exhausted as the consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens who go about their daily business.
Besides, about 17 northern states who share borders with Niger Republic namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno will be negatively affected.
We are also aware of the situation of Mali, Burkina Faso and Libya, which may affect the seven northern states, if military force is used.” Senator Sumaila stated
He added that there would be serious implication for Nigeria if military force was considered without exhausting all diplomatic channels
Sheikh Zakzaky condemned the idea of using force on Niger
Another rejection of Military action against the Niger Republic was echoed by the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.
In a vehement rejection of a purported plan for military action against coup plotters in Niger, Sheikh Zakzaky, the supreme leader of IMN emphasized the deep rooted cultural and historical ties between Nigeria and its northern neighbor.
The Sheikh warned against any divisive actions, asserting the brotherhood between Nigerians and Nigeriens
“It is shocking that these ruthless people want to use this country to attack our brothers, just to engage in fratricidal genocide” Sheik said while addressing his followers and other Nigerians from his residence in Abuja.
In the address delivered in Hausa language he cleric drew attention to the historical links between the two nations, highlighting their shared cultural heritage and the remnants of once mighty empires that straddle the modern border.
Zakzaky highlighted the fact that the cities of Borno, Hadejia, Gumel, Daura, and Katsina were partitioned into two, with parts annexed to Niger during the colonial era.
“The cultural ties that Niger and Nigeria share are closer than people imagine.The territories of empires founded by Shehu Usman Danfodio and Kanem Borno were carved out to create Niger and Nigeria. They did not take our history into cognizance when our borders were partitioned.”
The Scholar emphasized
Addressing concerns raised by some Nigeriens who fear a potential attack from Nigeria, Zakzaky reassured that Nigerians are not the enemy.
He suggested that the real threat comes from foreign powers seeking to use Nigeria for their purposes.
“Even if the threat of the invasion appears genuine, May Allah forbid this, we are not the ones attacking you.
It is other foreign powers who want to use Nigeria to do so. They are used to this,” he stated.
Drawing parallels with the Irani Iraq war, Zakzaky pointed out how foreign powers have historically manipulated regional conflicts.
He cited the example of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, which was used to invade Iran after the Islamic Revolution, despite the strong cultural ties between the two nations.
“They once did it after the Islamic Revolution in Iran when they used Saddam Hussein to invade Iran. The cultural ties they share are so strong that a senior position in Iran is being fielded by an Iraqi,” Zakzaky stated.
While the geopolitical situation continues to develop, Sheikh Zakzaky reminded the authorities of the shared history and strong cultural ties that bind the people of Nigeria and Niger.
The cleric, therefore, underscored the need for unity and understanding in the face of potential foreign interference.
The possible implication of the Military action on Niger Republic
How ever another dimension of this issue is that when ever there is a crises in either Nigeria or Niger Republic citizens of these two nations cross to one another as it is evidently seeing when Boko Haram insurgency was at its own peak as many Nigerians are still taking refuge in Niger Republic.
As also Niger is affected by the same insurgency as the terrorist consider Nigeria and Niger as the same.
So it means if ECOWAS engage Niger Junta on military actions Niger citizens will automatically run to Nigeria for survival.
And on the other way Northern Nigeria will not be safe as Niger Republic army will retaliate and attack Northern states which will have divergent effect on the region that suffers insecurity ,and economic challenges for years.
Fighting Niger’s Junta ; who is to carry the burden
Military Action on Niger Republic will come with a heavy economic burden and non of the ECOWAS member state can afford it except Nigeria ,so Nigerian resources will be diverted for a war while Citizens are in a harsh economic condition due the policies of the present administration under President Tinubu couple with the economic situation inherited from the immediate government under President Buhari.
At the end of the day Nigeria will be a greater loser financially and by extension the whole west African will be in endless crises as by indications Russia and China will be on the side Niger Republic with other West African countries like Mali and Burkina Faso that indicate interest to side with Niger Republic.
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