Coup: Shehu Sani Gives Reasons why Nigerians must not support any Armed Invasion of Niger Republic

GLatestAugust 6, 2023

2 minutes read

A former Nigerian lawmaker has given thirteen reasons why Nigerians must not support any armed invasion of the Niger Republic. Shehu Sani disclosed this information in his latest post online.

The lawmaker outlined thirteen reasons why the Nigerian government shouldn’t approve the military encroachment of its neighbouring West African State, Niger Republic following the latest coup d’etat.

1) The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) armed invasion of the Niger Republic is simply a war between Nigeria and Niger because of our proximity.

2) Russian government and Wagner may come in support of the Niger Republic and Nigeria will have to utilise its financial resources to execute the operation. Nigeria offsets 70 per cent of the budget of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and there is a slim possibility of the US Congress approving unlimited arms supplies for ECOWAS to wage war against another country.

3) Nigeria has Bordering states of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa and Yobe will incur direct hits and potential battle casualties in the event of war against Niger or neighbouring countries.

4) If there was no military action to dislodge the military coup plotters in Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad, why will the Nigerian government act militarily and forcefully on Niger Republic?

5) Why did the American and French military bases located inside the Niger Republic neglect and refuse to stop the coup in the Niger Republic and now they are encouraging the Nigerian government to intervene?

6) Niger Republic has been helpful to the Nigerian government in the fight against terrorist organisations such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other jihadist groups and the country is currently hosting thousands of Nigerian refugees which might have consequences in the event of war.

7) Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not allow himself to be pushed to initiate and trigger a war with a neighbouring West African country and later be left stranded. No West African country has any military capability to start or sustain a war with the Niger Republic; everyone will be relying on Nigeria.

8) Nigerians should not cry more than the bereaved; If the people of Niger Republic don’t want Military rule, let them fight hard enough to remove it themselves. We fought our military rulers and some of us even went to prison and jail in that struggle. Let the people of Niger Republic fight their fight.

9) Saudi Arabia is still bugged down in Yemen after spending hundreds of billions of dollars in the campaign against conflict and political insurrection which we don’t have.

10) The Military Regime in Myanmar is still there and not one stronger nation is contemplating military action against the regime or planning to interfere in the country’s political system.

11) We have a war at home against terrorism and jihadist groups let’s concentrate here and solve the problems first before engaging in international problems.

12) Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau forces will likely enter the war to Support Niger Republic and there is a possibility that they might attack Nigerian territories.