…Calls for urgent reopening of Niger-Nigeria border, reconnect electricity
By Omonu YG Nelson
The first deputy speaker of the Parliament of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Hon Idris Wase has voiced opposition against the use of military might in resolving the coup dilemma in Niger republic. He also accused the subregional military chiefs of economic motives for the eagerness to militarily intervene in Niger.
This is even as the senator representing Borno South and member of the Nigerian Delegation to ECOWAS Parliament, Ali Ndume berates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and ECOWAS Chairman for unilaterally closing the Nigerian – Niger border and cutting electricity without the approval of the Nigerian National Assembly.
The Parliamentarians stated this position at the ongoing one day Extra Ordinary Seesion of the ECOWAS Parliament holding virtually.
According to Wase, “We should be careful not to start what we can’t finish. When the Russia – Ukraine war started, people thought it was going to be a sharp war. A year after, the war is still lingering on with the attendant economic squander and wanton destruction of lives and properties.
“The subregional military chiefs knows what they stand to benefit economically, that’s why they’re eager to militarily intervene in Niger. Most of them are corrupt.
“Any war on Niger will have adverse effect on 60% of Nigeria, especially, Northern Nigeria.
On his part, Senator Ali Ndume said, “We are the representatives of the people. Whatever action that must be taken should be dependent on what our people wants.
“The ECOWAS Chairman, Predident Tinubu, wrote to the Nigerian Senate on the planned military intervention in Niger and the Red Chamber vehemently opposed the use of force. They prefer instead, dialogue should be adopted in resolving the impasse.
“President Tinubu has no right to close the Niger – Nigeria border and cutting electricity without the approval of the Nigerian National Assembly. It is not the Juntas that are suffering the sanctions, rather innocent people.”
On her part, Hon Linda Ikpeazu urged ECOWAS to appraised the past diplomatic means adopted in Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso, how effective was it? She affirmed that if the coupists in Niger are allowed to have their ways, it will amount to tactical signal for the military of other countries to plot coups, going forward.
“How effective was the diplomatic approach ECOWAS adopted in Guinea Conakry, Mali and Burkina Faso? The decision that ECOWAS should take in resolving the Niger political imbroglio will depends how effective the diplomacy adopted in the countries already under military government was.
“If that’s not done, it means, we are tactically giving approval for coups, knowing that the subregional body, ECOWAS cannot do anything punitive.”
Also contributing, the fourth deputy speaker, Hon Salou DJibo from Niger republic, agreed with some of the resolutions of the heads of State of ECOWAS. He however, insisted on the use of dialogue in resolving the impasse, saying the sanctions imposed on Niger is already taking its toll on ordinary Nigeriens.
He explained that war will only inflict more pains on ordinary people.
“War will only compound the economic woes the peoples of the subregion are already going through.
“As we speak, over a thousand trucks, loaded with goods are stranded at the border.”
The Lawmaker queried: “If a coup happened in Nigeria or Cote’d’Iviore tomorrow, where’s is the ECOWAS going to mobilised troops from to fight the Nigerian or Ivorian military? How many borders are we going to close?
“We must also bear in mind that, if we’re applying the ECOWAS treaty, it should be applicable to all.”
Hon Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante urged ECOWAS to pay keen attention and treat the root causes of coup in ECOWAS countries. He said, diplomacy must be used to resolve the problem.
Hon Adebayo Balogun, in his contribution, drew clear line between intervening militarily to dislodge coupists and declaring war on a country. He said, ECOWAS is not declaring war on Niger but simply intervening to from coupists from power because Niger is a signatory to ECOWAS revised protocol on non military intervention.