Posted by Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, believes that the people of the Niger Republic should be given the chance to immediately restore a representative democratic administration using the country’s existing national institutions.
This is despite the fact that the current political turmoil in Niger Republic is something he has called of critical importance to Nigeria’s national security.
Regardless of the stances adopted by other parties, Obi stressed that communication and diplomacy must take precedence in order to reach a resolution that causes as little disruption as possible in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
On Sunday, the former governor of Anambra State released a message on his verified social media account praising the efforts of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, and His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as mediators.
“Recent developments in the neighboring Niger Republic have become the subject of international attention,” the statement continued. This is an extremely important and time-sensitive problem for Nigeria’s national security.
Niger is a sensitive topic for ECOWAS and other foreign partners. A decision that causes as little disruption to Nigeria and the West African sub-region as possible must take precedence over the positions expressed by the numerous parties having direct or indirect interests in Niger. The West African sub-region’s realpolitik needs to be factored into any comprehensive diplomatic solution.
General Abdulsalami Abubakar, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, and His Royal Highness Sanusi Lamido Abubakar all deserve praise for their roles as mediators. While ECOWAS officials have said they are ready to discussing potential solutions to the situation, diplomatic efforts should be prioritized.
I agree with the many concerned Nigerians who have argued that diplomatic talks between the many parties with a stake in the problem should take precedence over any military action.
Niger’s people must be given the chance to return swiftly to a representative democratic administration through the country’s national institutions. The people of Niger deserve all the help they can get at every level, from the local to the international. Multilateral diplomatic procedures are necessary to rein in the use of military force as a deterrent in West Africa, which ECOWAS should work to prevent.
It is imperative that Nigeria, ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations work together to restore a democratic constitutional order in Niger. There can be no debate about Nigeria’s leadership role in this process.