The military leadership of Niger has criticized the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for issuing ultimatums without considering their perspective. ECOWAS, led by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, gave a seven-day ultimatum to restore the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, following a coup. The junta’s leader, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, expressed readiness for dialogue and peace to resolve the situation, emphasizing ECOWAS’s lack of patience in hearing their side of the story.
Islamic scholars, representing Nigeria’s President Tinubu, engaged in constructive dialogue with Gen. Tchiani, suggesting that peaceful resolution is vital. The meeting concluded with an agreement to intensify diplomatic solutions for the political crisis in Niger.
Obi Advocates Diplomacy Amid Niger Crisis
Peter Obi, Labour Party’s presidential candidate, stressed the significance of diplomacy in resolving the standoff involving Nigeria, ECOWAS, and Niger Republic. Obi urged a priority on dialogue over other options, recognizing the critical importance of peaceful resolutions for Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
NLC Cautions Against Military Action
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned against employing military force to oust the junta in Niger. The NLC cautioned that the negative consequences of such action outweigh the potential benefits, potentially leading to instability and proxy wars.
Olawepo-Hashim Urges Non-Aggression and Diplomacy
Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim appealed to Nigeria’s president to reconsider deploying troops to Niger. Olawepo-Hashim urged a return to Nigeria’s traditional foreign policy of non-aggression and non-alignment, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing peace and security.
Archbishop Kaigama Advocates Dialogue Over Military Action
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama urged ECOWAS leaders to choose dialogue over military intervention in Niger. He emphasized the need to avoid unnecessary conflict, considering the fragile economic and security conditions in the region.
PDP Accuses APC of Warmongering
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of pushing for war with Niger Republic. The PDP criticized the government’s readiness to deploy troops and suggested ulterior motives behind this move. The party stressed the need for cautious decision-making to ensure Nigeria’s stability and wellbeing.