Nigerians have accused President Bola Tinubu of attempts to plunge the country into a potential war with the Niger Republic following ECOWAS’ decision to invade and restore constitutional order in the neighbouring West African country.
At the second extraordinary summit on the socio-political situation in Niger in Abuja on Thursday, ECOWAS leaders ordered the immediate invasion of Niger, charging the regional body’s standby force to restore constitutional order following the seizure of power in a military coup on July 26.
“We direct the committee of defence staff to activate the ECOWAS standby force with all its elements immediately,” said the President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray, adding that the action was to “restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.”
At the meeting, Mr Tinubu, who doubles as the ECOWAS chairman, said the ongoing political crisis in the Niger Republic was a threat to the stability of Nigeria and other West African countries.
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West African leaders had, on July 30, given the military junta one week to give up power or face possible military intervention.
However, Nigerians on Twitter have knocked Mr Tinubu for chairing ECOWAS into war in Niger, a decision they contended could trigger humanitarian crises in Nothern states bordering Niger.
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A Twitter user, @Jude_Ukaigwe, said, “On this day, Tinubu led Nigeria to its first war since the Nigeria-Biafra war. I can confidently say that this will not end well for Nigeria.”
Another user, Oj_samdavid, said, “Tinubu has gone, and these rulers have gone mad. This is not going to end well for anybody.”
“I’m really trying to remember the last time Nigeria went to war. How can you enter power and, in less than three months, lead the country to war???? A country that is getting worse and worse,” @Irunnia tweeted.
Also, @DanielRegha condemned the move, saying, “Niger Junta is a serious issue, but invading Niger will only lead to a full-blown war that will leave millions of people dead; ECOWAS leaders are busy giving orders when they won’t be the ones fighting the war. It’s also sad to see Africans fighting themselves. What a shame.”
Similarly, @Omoiyaolobi001 expressed concerns over the safety of residents of Northern states bordering the Niger Republic.
Days ago, Mr Tinubu, who imposed a new set of sanctions on groups, organisations and individuals identified as giving support to the military junta in the Republic of Niger, decried the media reports linking the decision of the ECOWAS to the Nigerian president.
‘’Concerning the ultimatum given to the military Junta in Niger Public, the ECOWAS mandate and ultimatum is not a Nigerian ultimatum,” said Ajuri Ngelale, Mr Tnubu’s media aide. “It is because of this that Mr president has deemed it necessary to state unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum issued by ECOWAS is that of ECOWAS’ position.’’
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