Tinubu argues that using force is last choice in the Niger situation

On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu declared that before launching any military action against the military junta in the Niger Republic, all diplomatic avenues will be explored.

Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, said in a statement on Thursday that Tinubu also restated his opposition to overthrowing a democratically elected government with force.

This was said by Tinubu when he hosted the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), which was presided over by Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, at the State House.

“Your Eminence, I must thank you for your several visits to the Niger Republic, but you will still have to return. In Gabon, my worry that imitators would start doing the same thing until it was stopped came true.

“What has brought Nigerians and their great people together cannot be broken,” says the Niger Republic, our neighbour. A war is not desired by anyone. We have witnessed the destruction in Sudan and Ukraine. But if we don’t use the big stick, we’ll all have to deal with the repercussions, the President said.

In 1998, Nigeria implemented a nine-month transition programme under the leadership of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, which helped the nation enter a new age of democratic governance, according to Tinubu.

If the military leadership in Niger Republic are honest, the President claimed, such an action may be repeated there.

Please don’t feel fatigued, Your Eminence; you’ll still go back there. This behaviour by the army is reprehensible. The sooner they act favourably, the sooner we will ease sanctions to lessen the suffering we are witnessing in Niger, the President stated.

The President gave assurances that the ongoing changes would reorient the economy and benefit the majority of the population in terms of opportunity, infrastructure, healthcare, and education in response to the suffering experienced by many Nigerians after the elimination of fuel subsidies.

Nigeria is on its way to a promise. Our diversity will lead to prosperity rather than hardship. The President promised, “We will create a nation that our children will be proud of.

In order to provide acreage for international animal husbandry and agro-allied production, as well as processing facilities for mass export, employment development, and revenue generation, he informed the delegation that the federal government was working with state governments.

“We should look within if Nigeria is still in need of vaccines for basic health issues and if baby and maternal mortality is high. We will satisfy the requirements of our people, and I pledge to consult with other leaders, such as the NSCIA,” he stated.

The President had allocated N50 billion, according to Vice President Kashim Shettima, to help with the ongoing rebuilding of homes and lives in the North West and North East.

He said that this action was part of a new conversation strategy to resolve security issues and support kinetic measures.

The Sultan of Sokoto vowed “one hundred percent loyalty” to the President, stating that only God’s will, and not man’s, can bring about a leader’s elevation to power.

The Sultan gave the President the reassurance that the NSCIA would be there to offer guidance and assistance as he worked to realise his vision for the nation, and he also promised that “God will hold all leaders to account, in justice and fairness.”

In areas where some of the people who are still in desperate need are not being reached, he urged that the distribution of palliatives across the nation be checked and supplemented.

The Sultan declared, “I honestly believe we will emerge from the challenges stronger.” (NAN)