Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been advised to resist any pressure or temptation to go to war with Niger Republic in his quest to please US and France as doing so could be putting Nigeria on a collision course with Russia.
Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, who gave the advice said Nigeria had nothing to gain but all to lose by going into needless confrontation with her Francophone neighbour.
The Labour Party lawmaker cautioned Tinubu against being pushed into a regrettable expedition by the West.
Hon. Aguocha in a statement he personally issued on Friday, told President Tinubu to jettison any plan to engage the Niger Military in a needless war as Nigeria lacks the capacity and capabilities to execute a successful military campaign.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “We are on the verge of being played by the US and France into going to war in defense of their interests and risking confrontation with Russia and the Wagner Group!
“May our Government not turn out to be either incompetent or vainglorious or both. Now is the time to speak out. May our Government be properly guided.”
The Rep member also condemned Nigeria for cutting off power supply to Niger Republic, saying that the action amounts to a breach of trade agreement between both countries.
He seriously warned against any executive decision capable of spelling doom to the entire country.
“Those whom the gods want to destroy, they first make vain and mad!
“We are intending to violate treaty obligations to supply power to Niger Republic (in return for their not damming the River Niger upstream of Kainji and Jebba) in aid of inchoate foreign policy goals and objectives.
“We are very broke, and can barely fund our debts to cushion the poor from severe economic hardship; the unemployed, and most especially the military to deal with multifaceted insurgence and domestic threats, yet we are roaring to go to war against the regime in Niamey.”
Rep Aguocha maintained that the political upheaval in Niger Republic could be better resolved without resorting to war.
He advised Tinubu not to fall prey to Western ploy.
