ABUJA, Nigeria — An All Progressives Congress, APC, member Adamu Garba, cautioned members of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, against diverting the attention of President Bola Tinubu from his principal duties to Nigeria.
In a scathing commentary posted on social media on Saturday, August 12, 2023, Garba referred to the ECOWAS bloc as “an empty shell” without Nigeria.
He insinuated that the regional body, in cahoots with their “French masters,” is trying to co-opt President Tinubu to help mitigate their shortcomings.
While we are fighting and sticking our whole neck in the name of ECOWAS, the same member states are betraying our efforts right within the folks.
Benin Republic, which makes the most noise on the need for fighting against Niger coup leaders publicly told the international… pic.twitter.com/PrvVZ1QSGA
— Adamu Garba II (@adamugarba) August 12, 2023
He expressed, “The so-called ECOWAS bloc are empty shell without Nigeria. They are trying to lure our President to help them in their failures and that of their French masters, while we have a lot to do in Nigeria.”
Garba’s criticism appears to hint at a perceived lack of reciprocation from ECOWAS member states, even as Nigeria historically has been deeply involved in regional affairs.
He wrote candidly about the perceived betrayals, saying, “While we are fighting and sticking our whole neck in the name of ECOWAS, the same member states are betraying our efforts right within the folds.”
The APC stalwart was unyielding in his stance that President Tinubu should prioritize domestic affairs over regional concerns, emphasizing the Nigerian leader’s mandate and the trust vested in him by the nation’s populace.
He voiced, “We cannot save former failed Niger leaders and their colonial members from their obvious failures.”
Garba concluded with a plea for the ECOWAS member states to introspect and address their internal challenges.
“They should all return to their home countries, clean their houses, and leave us alone. We have a lot to do in Nigeria and we need 8 unceasing years of President Tinubu to help us fix things up in Nigeria. This is our priority.”
His remarks add another layer to the ongoing discourse surrounding Nigeria’s role within ECOWAS and highlight the delicate balance of regional collaboration and national priorities.
