Posted by Barr. Bala James Nggilari, a former governor of Adamawa State, has spoken out about the military coup in neighboring Niger Republic, which toppled the administration of Mohamed Bazoum despite popular support.
He suggested that the coupists be provided shelter in Nigeria as part of measures to end the situation and recommended that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) use a carrot-and-stick approach.
The deployment of Nigerian military in Niger Republic to restore democratic governance in that troubled country after the Junta was rejected by the Nigerian Senate, as you may recall.
The Senate, on the other hand, urged Tinubu and the ECOWAS, which he leads, to look for a political resolution to the situation.
Yesterday, in an interview with a small group of journalists, Nggilari voiced support for the ECOWAS’s approach to a peaceful resolution of the situation under Tinubu and expressed hope that the Niger military junta would see a reason to restore democracy in the nation.
It is better to mouth jaw than to war war, and I think there may be light at the end of the tunnel in terms of conversation and the sanctions enforced, he added, adding that the ECOWAS had resolved that military action would be the final resort.
I believe these folks should be granted asylum and allowed to travel safely to Nigeria or any other country of their choosing, where they will be protected from harm.
He thinks the Nigerian president and the other 14 African leaders have taken the right action to counter the coup in Niger.
And if they still feel the need to play politics when things have returned to normal, Nggilari added, “These are things that can be done to resolve the problem, nothing is impossible.”
Remember that Bazoum was allegedly threatened with death by the Niger junta if any neighboring countries tried to use force to restore his rule.