A former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf,has said 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.
In an opinion article published yesterday, Prof. Usman Yusuf stated 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.
According to him, “We, in the region, will not support 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 fabric have all been devastated. How can we support any foreign war when our house is on fire?”
Professor Yusuf, who is also a member of the Northern Elders Forum, stated, among others, that, “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 sub-region.
“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 North-westerly to the North-easterly border. The seven northern states of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno share a common religious, cultural and ethnic (Zabarmawas, Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri) heritage with their kinsmen in Niger”.
The Professor further said, “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 support. 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 France, 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”, he emphasised.
