The Coalition of United Political Parties, or CUPP, has strongly condemned the planned military intervention in Niger Republic to restore ousted civilian President Mohammed Bazoum.
CUPP stated in a press release signed by its Co-National Spokesperson, Comrade Mark Adebayo, that “it has come to our attention that Nigeria and some other West African countries are preparing for a military intervention in the Niger Republic ostensibly to reinstate the country’s overthrown civilian government.” First, Nigeria cannot afford such a hefty intervention in its current socioeconomic position. Over the years, the Nigerian military has been overstretched in combating terrorism and various insurgencies that are still very active and draining the country’s resources to the tune of billions of Naira per week.
“It is not only unnecessary but thoughtless for Nigeria to contemplate intervening militarily in the internal affairs of another country when the security situation in our own country remains a serious challenge to our military and other security agencies with an economy that is currently, at best, sick. It is neither a war that Nigeria can afford nor win, especially in the face of the overwhelming popularity of the coup among the generality of Nigeriens. Any military intervention without the support of the people of Niger is dead on arrival and it is glaring that the coup that toppled President Mohammed Bazoum was a widely popular one.
“Therefore, Nigeria cannot afford to waste its dwindling resources and the precious Lives of our soldiers fighting an unnecessary war that it can ill afford. The sick cannot treat the sick. Nigeria should rather concentrate on healing itself instead of looking for trouble in another country
“We support any diplomatic efforts by the West African subregion to resolve the Nigerien impasse. But a military intervention is taking the matter too far and we daresay it would fail catastrophically. Whatever resources are being put together to fight in another man’s country should be put to better use for Nigeria and alleviate the suffering of the people under this unfriendly economy rather than be frittered away in a war that doesn’t concern us when we have our wars internally that we haven’t overcome.
“Nigeria and other West African countries desirous of reinstating democracy in Niger Republic should rather deploy their diplomatic assets with possible collaboration of the international community to amicably resolve the situation in Niger Republic without military action and a single drop of blood.
“President Bola Tinubu should avoid plunging Nigeria’s fragile economy into more depression by intervening militarily in another country. Even if diplomatic channels have been exhausted, Nigeriens should be allowed to run their country as they deem fit even though we support the survival of democracy based on good governance in Africa. You can’t force people against their own will to do what they don’t consider is in their best interests. Nigeria should leave Niger alone to determine its present and future. Whatever interventions are being contemplated should remain within the purview of Diplomacy – no more, no less,” the CUPP statement concluded.
Comments