Obinna Nwosu, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has advised the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to explore dialogue in the ongoing constitutional crisis in Niger Republic.
The country, which shares multiple borders with Nigeria, recently experienced a coup leading to the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Nwosu, who contested for the House of Representatives seat for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in Abia State, in the 2023 general elections, stated that there was a need to explore all avenues for peace to reign in the West African nation.
The ADC chieftain was reacting to the recent directive by the regional body for its military forces to be on standby.
The directive was given to the forces following the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the coup plotters after a meeting by West African leaders in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
The coup plotters have remained adamant and even threatened to kill Bazoum if ECOWAS forces attempt to invade Niamey, the Niger capital.
Nwosu called for caution, noting that any military action would affect neighbouring countries like Nigeria.
His words:
”Thousands of Nigerians are married to spouses from Niger Republic. Any clash with Niger will affect many homes in the north.
”We must learn from Russia-Ukraine, who once saw themselves as one but are now enemies with many homes divided. Military intervention should be a last resort.”
Justifying his suggestion, Nwosu noted that the recent plea by Nigerians resident in Niger, shows that the relationship between both countries have broken down.
He wrote:
”Over 1000 years of multi-generational bridge building between Nigeria and Niger Republic destroyed in just two weeks.
”Indeed, to build is very hard, but to destroy is very easy. What took labourers weeks to build, a caterpillar will destroy in seconds.”
Nwosu further stated that any war would only benefit Western interests, which he noted are hell-bent on stealing Africa’s natural resources.
”USA and NATO took so much from Libya and IRAQ during the war. If a war breaks out with Niger Republic, western opportunists will have theirs on the gold in Zamfara and other natural resources in Nigeria and Niger.
”This is while we must kick against war by all means,” he warned.
