The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has warned President Bola Tinubu and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, against military action in Niger Republic.
ACF warned that military action in the Niger Republic would have ramifications for Nigeria.
Murtala Aliyu, the Forum’s General Secretary, encouraged ECOWAS to hold talks with those behind the coup in Niger Republic.
Aliyu stated:
“ACF, however, views with concern the unfolding events in Nigeria’s immediate neighbour, Republic of Niger and the potential impact on the region.
“The measures being contemplated should have taken into consideration the historical antecedents and mutual interests of the two countries and weighed the consequences of the use of military force.
“While the ACF recognises the ECOWAS position to bring pressure to bear on the perpetrators, but nevertheless the military option shouldn’t be a prerequisite for Nigeria’s and the Community’s continuing efforts to enthrone democracy in the region in the 21st century.
“A military intervention might yield a temporary solution, but the repercussions on Nigeria as a leader and the regional body would impact negatively on future relations and a herculean task to rebuild.
“To this end, ACF notes that while it supports the position to restore democratic rule in Niger, it calls on the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government under the able Chairmanship of President Bola Tinubu, that it should tow the path of dialogue and diplomacy and certainly not force, in resolving the current impasse in Niger in the interest of peaceful coexistence with our brotherly neighbour and stability of the ECOWAS region.”
cc: Daily Post Ng
