Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for urgent military intervention in Niger Republic whose army last week ousted and detained the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, a former Senator who represented Kaduna Central senatorial district, Shehu Sani, urged the 10th Senate not to approve any military intervention against Niger.
Sani in a statement on Twitter said the Senate should consider the consequences it could trigger if granted the President’s request.
In his words, “The Nigerian Senate should NOT approve any military action against Niger Republic. The country should not be plunged into war and eventually stuck in war in the Sahel.
“President Tinubu shouldn’t allow himself to be misled by foreign powers. Saudi in Yemen, America in Afghanistan and now Russia in Ukraine should teach us a lesson that war doesn’t end in days, weeks or months.
“Senators should weigh the implications and consequences of their decisions, especially those senators representing states along the Niger border. Weaponising electricity supplies to Niger is also condemnable. President Tinubu should continue to explore diplomatic channels and save the lives of those who will be sacrificed. That’s my view.”
In the same vein, a former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has said it is absolutely necessary for Nigeria to deploy troops to the Niger Republic but noted that, if Niger allies attack Nigeria or any ECOWAS region, Nigeria’s response will be devastating.
His words: “I do not want a war and I do not believe that we should initiate hostilities by invading or deploying troops to Niger Republic unless it is absolutely necessary.
“However if Niger, Burkina Faso and/or Mali attack Nigeria or any of our ECOWAS allies for ANY reason whatsoever or if they deploy their forces on even one inch of our soil, our response must be swift, shocking, deadly and devastating.
“We must kick them out, occupy their Southern territories, take their capital Niamey, topple their military government and re-establish democracy.
“If a puppy nibbles at the toes of a lion it must be taught the lesson of its life lest it forgets that it is nothing but a dog.
“If Wagner jumps into the ring to support them then Nigeria must get support from Executive Outcomes (remember them?), Blackwater and other western mercenary armies.
“For the record Wagner is NOT the only mercenary force in the world.
“Nigerians should stop trembling at the mention of their name.
“We pray that it does not come to it but if this war eventually comes our boys will acquit themselves well in the field of battle and we shall not stand alone.
“Help will come. We as a nation have the resources and connections to ensure that.”
