Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai (rtd), has revealed that the implications of the ugly trend in Niger Republic are not only crucial to ECOWAS but most importantly to Nigeria.
Buratai, who delivered a timely security report days before the coup d’état on why African Leaders should label coup as organised crime, opined that if Nigeria does not act decisively about the military intervention in Niger, the consequences will be more damaging to it.
“The implications of the events in Niger Republic are very crucial to ECOWAS, especially Nigeria. If Nigeria does not act decisively, the consequences will be more damaging to it. Of all the West African countries, Niger Republic is the most strategic to Nigeria. Niger Republic, as Nigeria’s northern neighbour, is very important; it is the only country bordering 7 States. Its economy, despite the French influence, is intricately tied to Nigeria”.
According to him, Nigeria’s credentials for democracy could be called to question if the coup is not checkmated, and democracy restored.
“The coup in Niger, if not checkmated and democracy restored, Nigeria’s credentials on democracy could be called to question. Equally, it could have implications for democracy at home. The fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria is not only biting in Nigeria but also in all our neighbouring countries.”
Thus, Buratai agreed with President Bola Tinubu, as ECOWAS chairman, to use military option in resolving the ugly situation in the Niger Republic.
Both diplomatic and military options, he said, should be pursued at the same time. “Nigeria must take the lead in stabilising the region”, he stated.
