ABUJA, Nigeria – Senator Orji Kalu, representing the Abia North Senatorial District, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against yielding to external pressures from nations like the United States and France to engage militarily against the Junta in the Niger Republic.
The appeal follows a declaration by ECOWAS for swift military intervention in the Niger Republic, a resolution reached during a summit convened in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
Senator Kalu, a prominent voice and former Senate majority whip, broadcasted his concerns via a verified Facebook post on Thursday, August 10, 2023, criticizing the intentions of these foreign powers. He challenged their motives, suggesting they take up the mantle of intervention instead.
“The United States and France seem eager for Nigeria to bear the brunt of this conflict. If they’re so committed, let their troops lead the charge. Nigeria shouldn’t be at the forefront. This isn’t our battle to fight. I align myself with the Senate and the wider Nigerian populace in urging President Tinubu to resist these external pressures,” he asserted.
Kalu believes that a more diplomatic approach, urging the Junta to present a clear roadmap back to democracy, is more appropriate than resorting to immediate warfare.
He stated, “A more strategic approach would be to request a democratic transition plan from the Junta, outlining a one to two-year process for returning to civil rule.”
Furthermore, the Senator expressed a strong conviction that Nigerian lives shouldn’t be jeopardized for another nation’s internal strife, stressing the need to prioritize Nigeria’s interests.
“It’s paramount to protect the interests and lives of Nigerians first. No Nigerian soldier should pay the ultimate price for a conflict that isn’t ours. If this situation forces us to reevaluate our ECOWAS membership, then so be it. Nigeria’s sovereignty and the will of its people should always come first,” Kalu concluded.
The unfolding political dynamics around the Niger Republic will undoubtedly test the resolve and diplomatic acumen of the Tinubu administration.
How President Tinubu will respond to the increasing calls from different quarters on this pressing issue remains to be seen.
