Politics

NIGER coup: Nigeria must return to policy of non-alignment, Olawepo-Hashim warns FG

The Federal Government should have a rethink on the decision to commit Nigerian troops to the Niger Republic in pursuant of the ECOWAS’ resolution to reinstate the ousted civilian government in the francophone country, former presidential candidate, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, warned on Sunday.

Accordingly, he urged President Bola Tinubu, who doubles as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), to consider the immediate and long-term implications of such military intervention in Niger.

Olawepo-Hashim said Nigeria should return to its traditional foreign policy of pursuing peace and security in Africa, policy of Non-Aggression and Non-Alignment.

He explained that though “the invasion of Niger Republic may achieve the objective of removing the military junta in Niamey, it has the potential of escalating the security problem in the North-West and North- East of Nigeria as the remnant of the fleeing men loyal to the junta will hibernate in forests between Nigeria and Niger to escalate what the bandits have been doing to Nigeria in the past few years.”

After the Niger military chiefs ignored an ultimatum to restore the elected president, leaders of West Africa’s regional bloc, at the second extra-ordinary summit on the crisis in Abuja last Thursday, maintained that ECOWAS is seeking a diplomatic solution but has not ruled out using force to resolve the crisis while all options are still being explored.

It also demanded the unconditional release and reinstatement of ousted President Mohammed Bazoum.

The threat of an invasion, though not specific, raises tensions in and around Niger, a uranium producer that until, the coup was an important ally of the West in the fight against Islamist insurgents devastating the Sahel region.

However, Olawepo-Hashim reiterated the fact that “nations go to war primarily to protect their national interests, but in this case, there is no national interest of Nigeria at stake in Niger to warrant a commitment of Nigerian troops. According to him, the problem in Niger is an internal problem of Niger and at best, a Francophone problem.

“Nigeria must return to its traditional foreign policy of pursuing peace and security in Africa, policy of Non-Aggression and Non-Alignment. We must remain Non Aligned to the interests of any foreign power at the Global stage as formulated by our founding fathers at independence.

“The policy of Non-Alignment championed by Nigeria and India earned the nation respect and friendship all over the world.

“Africa cannot afford another security mess similar to what happened after the invasion of Libya and overthrow of Muammar Gadaffi in 2012 that destabilised the entire Sahel region, and Nigeria is still battling with the consequences in mounting security problems in the North West and North East regions,” he stated.

The former presidential candidate asserted that military intervention is now regarded as an aberration around the world, advising ECOWAS to deploy “constructive engagement and diplomacy” in ensuring that democratic structures are restored in the country.”

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