‘Niger Republic, northern Nigeria are one’ – El-Rufai cries out to ECOWAS against military invasion

Former Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to halt its planned military intervention in Niger Republic.

El-Rufai said this following a statement by ECOWAS defence chiefs that they would not have any choice but to use force against Niger.

It would be recalled that the chairperson of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, recently said the regional bloc had resolved to use force as a last resort if the Niger coup leaders do not relinquish power to the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

While advising ECOWAS to tread with caution, El-Rufai said African nationals are brothers and war in any country within the region will be injurious to all.

“As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’, because a war within our subregion is a war between brothers. Indeed, the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria,” El-Rufai said via Twitter.

“Let us bend therefore over backwards to avoid this civil war between brothers.”

ECOWAS has, however, not rule out the option of sending troops to confront General Abdoulrahamane Tchiani-led junta after toppling the democratic government of President Mohamed Bazoum.