NewStats: 3,259,262 , 8,169,657 topics. Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025 at 02:39 PM 59134j

Let me dispense with any political correctness and say it loud and clearly that, any attempt to invade Niger Republic by a Nigerian led ECOWAS Army in the guise of “safeguarding democracy”, will be a declaration of war on northern Nigeria and its people because we are the ones that will bear the full brunt of this misguided war. We in the region will not any act of unprovoked aggression against Niger Republic under any pretense.

We in the north are tired of wars, we have been at war with Boko Haram for 14 years and for 9 years with Bandits and kidnappers. Thousands of our people continue to be killed and kidnapped while millions have been displaced from their ancestral homes, including the 300,000 that have sought refuge as IDPs in Niger Republic. Our economy, education, infrastructure and social fabrique have all been devastated. How can we any foreign war when our house is on fire?

At a time when Nigeria is facing the worst insecurity of our lifetime with nauseating corruption, bad governance, youth unemployment and drug abuse, discontent of the citizenry, excruciating poverty brought about by chaotic economic policies, a military invasion of Niger Republic will be reckless with grave consequences beyond the subregion.

Instead of starting a new war, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should channel all his energy on finding ways to stop the bloodshed in our land by ending the wars on Boko Haram and Banditry as soon as possible, reconcile warring communities, resettle all IDPs and rebuild our communities and the region’s economy.

Niger Republic is a landlocked country with a total area of 1,267,000 km². Northern Nigeria shares with it a vast 1,100km long border stretching along Nigeria’s entire Northwesterly to the Northeasterly border. The seven northern states of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno share a common religious, cultural and ethnic (Zabarmawas, Hausas, Fulanis and Kanuris) heritage with their kinsmen in Niger.

The conditions that led to the recent pandemic of military coups in the ECOWAS subregion are unfortunately present in all 15 member countries. Military coups though unacceptable and retrogressive, will continue to be a looming danger to democratic governments in the region as long as the political class continue to ignore the sufferings of their people and keep on perpetuating corruption, bad governance, flawed electoral processes, impunity that push their people deeper into poverty, hopelessness and worsening insecurity.

The Coup in Niger resulted from ethnic and geopolitical power play. The ethnic dimension is that the Zabarmawas (Zarmas) who are the second largest ethnic group (22%) after the Hausas (53%), have always dominated the military and power since independence in 1960. Military coups mostly happen each time anyone from the other ethnic groups (Hausa, Fulani, Touareg or Arab) are in power. Mohammed Bazoum is an Arab ethnic group (0.4%).

Resource control and proxy war between Russia and NATO are the geopolitical factors that are in play here. Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium which is widely used for nuclear energy radiation, cancer therapy and in nuclear weapons.

In spite of its rich mineral resources, Niger remains one of the poorest countries in the world, it has been plagued by recurrent droughts, worsening climate change and the presence of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram. has been exploiting the country’s rich mineral resources with little or no benefit to the country or its people.

Another natural resource in play is Nigerian Gas which is to be transported through the Trans Sahara Gas pipeline from Warri, Nigeria, and end in Hassi R’Mel, Algeria, where it would connect to existing pipelines leading to Europe. Europe sees this project as a potential opportunity to diversify its gas sources as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

America and its NATO partners are unsettled by Russia’s inroad into Africa through the Wagner Group which is already deployed to African countries like Libya, Sudan, Mozambique, Madagascar, Central African Republic, and Mali, focusing principally on protecting the ruling elites and critical infrastructures. As payment, Wagner’s boss Prigozhin receives exclusive rights to mining minerals such as Gold.

The ECOWAS has literally declared war on Niger Republic by imposing biting economic sanctions on a country heavily dependent on foreign aid, it has ordered closure of borders with member states and imposed a no-flight zone hoping to curb the junta’s influence and hinder any potential allies from providing aerial . The junta has also been given a week’s ultimatum starting from July 31, 2022 to vacate power or face military action.

Nigeria has unilaterally terminated the treaty between the 2 countries signed in the 60s for Nigeria to provide electricity to Niger in exchange that it will not obstruct the flow of water to the country’s hydroelectric Dams in Jebba, Kainji. This treaty has ensured that Nigeria supplied 70% Niger’s electricity. Today, Niamey, the capital city is in darkness.

While many leaders of African Francophone countries are severing ties with their colonial masters , President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his desperate desire to gain international legitimacy for his government, is blindly dragging Nigeria into the dangerous waters of the proxy war between Russia and NATO without consulting with or seeking the consent of the people or their elected representatives.

SUGGESTIONS

- ECOWAS should take off the table any threat of military action against Niger Republic because it will not achieve the desired goal.
Embark on a sincere, well thought through diplomatic option.

- Nigeriens should be allowed and ed to decide what they want for themselves.

- The Military Junta should be pressured to give clear time of transition back to democratic rule as soon as possible.

- Nigeria should restore electricity supply to Niger Republic in accordance with the bilateral agreement.

- Foreign Aid which s for 40% of Niger’s annual budget should be restored to prevent it from falling into Russia’s embrace.

The Trans Sahara Gas Pipeline Project should continue as contractually agreed.

- ECOWAS should insist on good governance, reduction in corruption and the respect for constituted institutions among member nations.

Finally, I call on all men and women of goodwill particularly northern elders, traditional rulers, clerics, academics, the media, elected representatives, Labour organizations, businesses leaders, student unions, women organizations and civil society organizations to say no to Nigeria being dragged into this proxy war between Russia and NATO.

Usman Yusuf is a Professor of Haematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation.

https://www.reubenabati.com.ng/opinion/opinion-war-on-niger-republic-will-be-war-on-northern-nigeria-usman-yusuf

Unimaginable joke!

Then Tinubu should resign as the Ecowas chairman and handover to whoever that will get the job done, office is about competence.
Every office of leadership comes with a responsibility, (7 coup in 3yrs, all within the region). Ecowas needs to sit up, unless 'Tinubu as the Ecowas chairman' wants to make more mockery of himself and the entire ecowas organization, and also jeopardize his office, a colossal failure that will go down in history.
Other countries are looking up to Nigeria to release President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic.

A coup might happen in Nigeria if Ecowas don't root out this abnormally entirely.

Lol. Na religion go crash this country.
Meanwhile I don't any invasion.
I see people quoting me say all sorts

The seven northern states of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno share a common religious, cultural and ethnic
This is the reason why they don't want the war not because of doing the right thing.

I don't the invasion of Niger in any disguise, the government should instead focus on solving insecurity issue in Nigeria

Ebola won't hear

They will use this excuse to kick him to the kerb.

Oga try to hear words for once

That's where you and Tinubu are getting it wrong
You keep underestimating Niger Republic...

Is not about Niger Republic junta alone is about

The massive they have from their people.. Infact the entire Niger are behind the junta..

Another massive they have is coming countries like Libya, Algeria, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Russia and other African countries...

Most Northern Nigerians have relatives, friends, family, business associates in Nigeria so Niger also have the of Northern Nigeria..

So Tinubu's ers shouldn't lead him to self destruction..

We understand that Tinubu wants to prove a point that he is the strongest leader in Africa.

Tinubu wants to prove a point that he can do what Obasanjo did in Sierra Leone..

Everyone has a right to air their opinion, it is the President who decides after all the talk. I am sure the North would have been baying for blood if this coup happened in Benin🇧🇯 Republic .


everyone in Nigeria is after their own interests

The writer forgot something important

Nigeria is about to replace Russia And US as the world largest supplier of Gas to Europe

Europe survive on Gas, for energy and heat during winter

Russia would do everything within it's powers to distabilize the region or control countries within the planned route to Morocco

Nigeria, Qatar , US are all strategically positioned for European Gas Market


We flare gas , release it to the atmosphere , waste it..... Europe are ready to pay Billions


.

Let's blame Igbos

Nigeria will not war with Niger.
Nigeria is only pretending to want to war with Niger.
The president cannot betray those who gave him power.
The noise making is just strategy.

Tinubu: Between the devil and the deep blue sea

Apart from Football/Sports, everything else is viewed from the perspective of Tribe & Religion, in this Country.
Even Sports is sometimes not spared.

[quote author=IhateYouMan post=124918853][/quote] Una don start again! Na so una talk say an attack on Boko haram was an attack on the North and now you're suffering from your past mistake. This Northern people love suffering.

When una say we dey divide this country again?

Northern IPOB

Mumu tribalists full Nairaland

I said it before, na una go first collect, unless una go lead or show Niger Republic the way to South Wàste states! But we want War and seyi must lead first.

Tinubu might end up getting overthrown by Hausa military men, prophecy may be delayed but can never be denied

By then Agbado APC miscreants would take war to Hausa land.

On the mandate of the military government in Niger Republic we stand!!! Nothing dey happen.

It is well.

EBOLA people go disappear from this thread ...usman na ipob since he's ing niger


They want to fight their master using the presidency, hahaha

Una Dey fear?

ECOWAS (and not Tinubu) wants to carry out military action in Niger republic.

There are 15 countries in ECOWAS and only 2 are in of the coup. The 2 are countries ruled by military junta as well (Burkina faso and Mali).

African Union also gave The coupist an ultimatum.

Africa's democracy is too fragile to let coupists take over the continent.

Agbado gang should come and blame IPOB

Flokii what do you have to say,is this man Igbo?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdg3R2UOV78

.this people should be very careful ooh.so where will tinubu send the thousands of touts he will recruit into the army if not to war like this.abi the agbado feeding go just waste like that

Northern Nigeria really tired of war.
While Simon Ekpa and his people are looking for war

AderonkeOlaniyi:
On the mandate of the military government in Niger Republic we stand!!! Nothing dey happen.

Who do you people this kind thing, why always in the wrong side of history?
Why always you people, are you the only tribe in Nigeria? And stop using Yoruba and Hausa names to disguise, we all know where you come from. You all have one logo and identity. Always filled with hate and always losers. Then you will claim everyone always hating you when you always give hate

SpatialKing:
That's where you and Tinubu ECOWAS are getting it wrong
You keep underestimating Niger Republic...

Is not about Niger Republic junta alone is about

The massive they have from their people.. Infact the entire Niger are behind the junta..

Another massive they have is coming countries like Libya, Algeria, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Russia and other African countries...

Most Northern Nigerians have relatives, friends, family, business associates in Nigeria so Niger also have the of Northern Nigeria..

So Tinubu's ers shouldn't lead him to self destruction..

We understand that Tinubu ECOWAS wants to prove a point that he is the strongest leader in Africa.

Tinubu ECOWAS wants to prove a point that he can do what Obasanjo did in Sierra Leone..

I know you like to spread fake news since Peter Obi came 3rd in the election. You would do everything to make the President of Nigeria look bad.

However:

1. ECOWAS and African Union are the ones that gave the coupist an ultimatum, NOT Tinubu.

2. Russia is not ing the coup.
Russia won't trade Niger republic for better and bigger African countries.

3. African Union are also against the coup. Encouraging coupist will ensure military takes over their own fragile goverment too.

We do not want another war in African soil... Everyone is seeing how Sudan war is going. War without end. Let's not start something that we can't finish.