Former military governor of old Ondo State and chieftain of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has advised President
Bola Tinubu against the invasion of neighbouring Niger Republic, saying any war
is not a tea party.
George, a retired Commodore of the Nigerian Navy in a letter
yesterday made available, said he is writing as a patriot and a
statesman.
The letter reads: “I write to you as a Nigerian, a retired
General in the Nigerian military, a patriot and a war tactician.
“On July 26, 2023, the Commander of the Presidential Guard
in Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, overthrew President Mohamed
Bazoum, seized power and is now the new strongman of the Nigerien Armed Forces.
“As the leader of ECOWAS, you immediately invited other West
African leaders and an ultimatum was given to Tchiani that Bazoum must be
reinstated or else, a strong military force (just like ECOMOG in Liberia and
Sierra Leone) will invade Niger Republic and forcefully reinstate him.
“The population of Niger Republic is 27,294,785 (just like
Lagos State). Niamey is the capital and the population is 1,437,000 (not up to
Alimosho Council in Lagos) and as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria who gets security briefings everyday since you
were sworn-in on May 29, 2023, you may have been told that even a Brigade of
the Nigerian Army, commanded by a Colonel, can crush the soldiers in Niger
Republic.
“Now, my observations: First of all, you have done the right
thing by sending a delegation consisting of former Head of State, General
Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, a
retired Brigadier-General, to meet the Military High Command in Niger.
“It is okay to send a delegation. Diplomacy is always a
better option to war. To jaw jaw is better than war war.
But, I believe, it would have been better if the full
Nigerian colouration was reflected in that delegation.
“Some diplomats (serving or retired) should have been
included in the delegation. Diplomats are trained for a situation like this.
What is happening in Niger right now is not only for the military.
“Number two, when you have a crisis within, you solve that
first before going international with a ‘Big Brother’ posture.
“In your last national broadcast, you even admitted that
Nigerians are going through a lot and everything is being done to alleviate
their suffering.
“In Nigeria today, there is no food, no financial power to
buy fuel, no light, no money. Nigerians are psychologically stranded and people
are really going through a lot. So, I don’t know what our going to Niger
Republic with full military power will achieve.
“If you remember, Nigeria, almost singularly, financed
ECOMOG military operations and that was when our economy was better. Which
economy are we going to use now to finance a full military operation in Niger
Republic, when Mali and Burkina Faso have threatened to take sides with Niger
Republic?
“Will this not lead to the collapse of ECOWAS? Do we really
know the type of partisan game Western Powers, on one hand, Russia and China,
on another hand, and some other African countries, are playing behind the
scene? Can we really trust any one of them? Should Nigeria’s interest not play
a major role before taking any decision of this gargantuan dimension which can
lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties?
“I saw a video today of some Nigeriens, on a road show,
backing Tchiani and abusing you. That may have been arranged by the coupists
quite alright but do we need that type of distraction now when everything is
being done to ensure that Nigeria moves its economy to the next level?
“Do we know the involvement of Russians because of the Uranium
in Niger?
“In Nigeria, the electoral process is yet to be concluded,
the palliatives you promised because of the removal of fuel subsidy payment are
still in the air, so why do we want to send our soldiers to engage in a
needless war?
“In ECOMOG, Nigeria paid for almost everything. But the
economy then was different from what we have now.
We all know that Nigeriens, directly or indirectly, are
fighting the French because of Assimilation Policy which has affected the
Francophone speaking countries, unlike what we have in English speaking
countries, like Nigeria.
We should think twice before entering another country
militarily. Don’t start what you cannot finish.
“Niger is one of the largest (land border) countries in the
world and also one of the poorest. What exactly do we gain if we go to war in
Niger? What? So that people can praise us as a defender of democracy? When
people are dying at home, do we need that type of commendation from anybody?
“I am a retired General. So, I know that war is not easy.
Please, don’t force Nigerians to engage in an endless war.
Despite its mineral wealth, Niger Republic has been held
down by its leadership for decades. More than 75 per cent of Nigeriens are poor
and uneducated. At the right time, if they don’t want Tchiani, they will get
rid of him. Let “Nigeriens deal with their rot and let us focus on how to save
our own situation back home.
“I am sure you know that seven Northern states – Kebbi,
Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno – share a 1,608 kilometres
long border with five regions in Niger Republic. In case of any war, residents
of these states will be direct targets of bullets and missiles. This can also lead
to a resurgence of criminal activities in the border areas.
“Also, some countries, such as Algeria, Libya, Chad, Benin,
Burkina Faso and Mali share borders with Niger Republic. Can we trust these
countries to support us militarily and otherwise in case of a war with Niger
Republic?
“In all of these, we should ask ourselves, why did we
finance a rail line to Maradi during the President Muhammadu Buhari
administration?
“Russia invaded Ukraine over a year ago. Thousands of people
– soldiers and civilians – have been killed, billions of dollars worth of
properties have been destroyed and there is still no end in sight.
“In International Relations and Politics, you protect your
national interest first. Burkina Faso and Mali openly declared that they would
support Niger. Can we also trust Chad which has been under military rule since
April 2021? Are we sure this move to invade Niger Republic will not affect
ECOWAS?
“Is this the right time to spend the money Nigeria doesn’t
have to fight in another country?
“Politically, economically, socially, we are still in a
quagmire. Then you want to add the fourth one: Warfare.
Anybody who has been in the military will tell you war is
not an easy thing. We must be careful.
“Thank God you have started the diplomatic move
Let the envoys continue the diplomatic discussion in Niger.
War is not a tea party.”
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