Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against invading Niger Republic in a bid to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power.
Recall that on July 25, 2023, General Abdourahamane Tchiani-led Presidential Guard detained and took over power from Bazoum.
Following the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on Niger Republic while also threatening military intervention.
But in a letter to Tinubu, Bode George urged the president to think deeply before intervening in the Niger crisis.
He noted that Nigeria has numerous challenges, urging the president to focus on solving the challenges presently rocking the country rather than embarking on a needless war.
According to the PDP chieftain, the president’s steps so far are commendable, but he needs to think twice before entering another country militarily.
“We should think twice before entering another country militarily. Don’t start what you cannot finish.
“You may have been told that even a Brigade of the Nigerian Army, commanded by a Colonel, can crush the soldiers in Niger Republic. Now, my observations:
“First of all, you have done the right thing by sending a delegation consisting of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, a retired Brigadier-General, to meet the Military High Command in Niger. It is okay to send a delegation,” George said.
He said, “Diplomacy is always a better option to war. To jaw-jaw is better than war war. But, I believe, it would have been better if the full Nigerian coloration was reflected in that delegation. Some diplomats (serving or retired) should have been included in the delegation. Diplomats are trained for a situation like this. What is happening in Niger right now is not only for the military.”
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