Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister and a prominent figure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has called upon the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, to consider intervening in Niger Republic without involving Nigerian military forces. Fani-Kayode’s remarks were issued in a press statement on Saturday titled ‘ECOWAS VERSUS NIGER: WHO IS FOOLING WHO?’, as reported by Naija247news.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In his statement, Fani-Kayode expressed concern that Nigeria should not be used to safeguard ineffective civilian governments in other West African nations. He further criticized the planned military intervention by ECOWAS leaders in Niger Republic, asserting that it lacks the support of the Nigerian populace and could lead to significant regional errors.
Fani-Kayode emphasized the importance of candid communication with President Tinubu, stating, “We not only have a significant stake in [the government], but we must also ensure that it succeeds. Apart from our unalloyed loyalty and unflinching support, our commitment to assist him in weathering every storm and stabilizing the country, there is only one thing we owe the President, and that is to always tell him the plain truth.”
Regarding the pending attack on Niger Republic, Fani-Kayode advocated for ECOWAS to consider diplomatic means for resolving the crisis rather than initiating military intervention. He suggested that if ECOWAS deems intervention necessary, they should proceed without involving Nigerian troops. Fani-Kayode proposed that France, along with its Franco-phone allies and American intelligence and logistical support, handle the operation independently, reserving Nigerian involvement for situations where the nation’s security or sovereignty is directly threatened.
Fani-Kayode’s advice aligns with the suspension of a key military meeting by West African nations, which was initially scheduled to address the crisis in Niger. ECOWAS had recently announced plans to deploy a standby force to reinstate the country’s deposed leader. The meeting, involving chiefs of staff from regional bloc countries, was to be held in Accra, Ghana. However, the suspension indicates a cautious approach amidst the ongoing developments in Niger.
