Chief Olabode George has written a strong warning letter to Tinubu and Nigerians over Tinubu’s intention to go to war with the Niger Republic in a bid to return to democracy.
I write to you as a Nigerian, a retired General in the Nigerian military, a patriot, and a war tactician.
The population of Niger Republic is 27,294,785 (just like Lagos State).
Niamey is the capital and the population is 1,437,000 (not up to Alimosho Council in Lagos) as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who gets security briefings every day since you were sworn in on May 29, 2023, you may have been told that even a Brigade of the Nigerian Army, commanded by a Colonel, can crush the soldiers in the Niger Republic.
If you remember, Nigeria, almost singularly, financed ECOMOG military operations and that was when our economy was better. Which economy are we going to use now to finance a full military operation in Niger Republic, when Mali and Burkina Faso have threatened to take sides with the Niger Republic?
Will this not lead to the collapse of ECOWAS?
Do we know the type of partisan game Western Powers, on one hand, Russia and China, on another hand, and some other African countries, are playing behind the scene? Can we trust any one of them? Should Nigeria’s interest not play a major role before taking any decision on this gargantuan dimension which can lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties?
I saw a video today of some Nigeriens, on a road show, backing Tchiani and abusing you. That may have been arranged by the coupists quite alright but do we need that type of distraction now when everything is being done to ensure that Nigeria moves its economy to the next level?
Do we know the involvement of Russians because of the Uranium in Niger?
In Nigeria, the electoral process is yet to be concluded, the palliatives you promised because of the removal of fuel subsidy payment are still in the air, so why do we want to send our soldiers to engage in a needless war?
In ECOMOG, Nigeria paid for almost everything. But the economy then was different from what we have now.
We all know that Nigeriens, directly or indirectly, are fighting the French because of Assimilation Policy which has affected Francophone-speaking countries, unlike what we have in English-speaking countries, like Nigeria.
We should think twice before entering another country militarily. Don’t start what you cannot finish.
Niger is one of the largest (land border) countries in the world and also one of the poorest. What exactly do we gain if we go to war in Niger? What? So that people can praise us as a defender of democracy? When people are dying at home, do we need that type of commendation from anybody?
I am a retired General. So, I know that war is not easy. Please, don’t force Nigerians to engage in an endless war.
Despite its mineral wealth, Niger Republic has been held down by its leadership for decades. More than 75 percent of Nigeriens are poor and uneducated. At the right time, if they don’t want Tchiani, they will get rid of him. Let Nigeriens deal with their rot and let us focus on how to save our situation back home.
I am sure you know that seven Northern states – Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and Borno – share a 1,608 kilometers long border with five regions in the Niger Republic. In case of any war, residents of these states will be direct targets of bullets and missiles. This can also lead to a resurgence of criminal activities in the border areas.
Also, some countries, such as Algeria, Libya, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali share borders with Niger Republic. Can we trust these countries to support us militarily and otherwise in case of a war with the Niger Republic?
In all of these, we should ask ourselves, why did we finance a rail line to Maradi during the President Muhammadu Buhari administration?
Is this the right time to spend the money Nigeria doesn’t have to fight in another country?
Politically, economically, and socially, we are still in a quagmire. Then you want to add the fourth one: Warfare.
Anybody who has been in the military will tell you that war is not an easy thing. We must be careful.
Thank God you have started the diplomatic move.
Let the envoys continue the diplomatic discussion in Niger.
War is not a tea party.
