Connect with us

Reports

Nigerian Ex-Soldier Writes President Tinubu, Advises Him Against Engaging In War With Niger Republic 

Published

on

Spread the love

By Olarewaju Falayi 

A Popular Nigerian Ex-Soldier and retired Politician, Chief Olabode George has formally written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to warn him against engaging in war with the Republic of Niger over the issue of Coup d’etat in the Country.

Advertisement

The Ex-Soldier, Chief Olabode George in his open letter advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pay attention to the current economy plights of Nigerians and fulfill his recent promise to provide palliatives to cushion the effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy ordered and carried out by his administration on assumption of office as the President of the Country. 

He added, that, the President should not get himself involved in going into war with a neighbouring country like the Republic of Niger pointing to him that the end result of it might not be palatable to many of the Northern States such as Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno among others. 

Chief Olabode George pointed out to him of the possibility of Countries like Ukraine, Mali, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Libya, Chad and Benin Republic joining hands with the Republic of Niger against Nigeria if the President goes into war with them. 

He reminded him of the dangers that may be posed by the building of railway line from Northern Nigeria to the Republic of Niger during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. 

See Below The Details Of Chief Olabode George Open Letter To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:

CHIEF OLABODE GEORGE’S OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON NIGER REPUBLIC:

I write to you as a Nigerian, a retired General in the Nigerian military, a patriot and a war tactician.

Advertisement

On July 26, 2023, the Commander of the Presidential Guard in Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, seized power and is now the new strongman of the Nigerien Armed Forces.

As the leader of ECOWAS, you immediately invited other West African leaders and an ultimatum was given to Tchiani that Bazoum must be reinstated or else, a strong military force (just like ECOMOG in Liberia and Sierra Leone) will invade Niger Republic and forcefully reinstate him.

The population of Niger Republic is 27,294,785 (just like Lagos State).

Advertisement

Niamey is the capital and the population is 1,437,000 (not up to Alimosho Council in Lagos) and as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who gets security briefings everyday 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 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.

Advertisement

It is okay to send a delegation. 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 colouration 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.

Advertisement

Number two, when you have a crisis within, you solve that first before going international with a ‘Big Brother’ posture.

In your last national broadcast, you even admitted that Nigerians are going through a lot and everything is being done to alleviate their suffering.

In Nigeria today, there is no food, no financial power to buy fuel, no light, no money. Nigerians are psychologically stranded and people are really going through a lot. So, I don’t know what our going to Niger Republic with full military power will achieve.

Advertisement

Abdulsalami and Sultan

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 Niger Republic?

Will this not lead to the collapse of ECOWAS?

Advertisement

Do we really 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 really trust any one of them? Should Nigeria’s interest not play a major role before taking any decision of 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?

Advertisement

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 the Francophone speaking countries, unlike what we have in English speaking countries, like Nigeria.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Despite its mineral wealth, Niger Republic has been held down by its leadership for decades. More than 75 per cent 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 own situation back home.

I am sure you know that seven Northern states – Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno – share a 1,608 kilometres long border with five regions in 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 Niger Republic?

Advertisement

In all of these, we should ask ourselves, why did we finance a rail line to Maradi during the President Muhammadu Buhari administration?

Russia invaded Ukraine over a year ago. Thousands of people – soldiers and civilians – have been killed, billions of dollars worth of properties have been destroyed and there is still no end in sight.

In International Relations and Politics, you protect your national interest first. Burkina Faso and Mali openly declared that they would support Niger. Can we also trust Chad which has been under military rule since April 2021? Are we sure this move to invade Niger Republic will not affect ECOWAS?

Advertisement

Is this the right time to spend the money Nigeria doesn’t have to fight in another country?

Politically, economically, 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 war is not an easy thing. We must be careful.

Advertisement

Thank God you have started the diplomatic move.

Let the envoys continue the diplomatic discussion in Niger.

War is not a tea party.

Advertisement

*Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George

Atona Oodua of Yorubaland

August 4, 2023.

Advertisement


Spread the love
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Breaking News

Reports20 hours ago

Tinubu Orders Release Of All Minors Arrested Over #EndBadGovernance Protest 

Spread the lovePresident Bola Tinubu has ordered release of all minors arrested and detained over #EndBadGovernance protest. Minister of Information...

Security3 days ago

Ekiti Amotekun Apprehends Man Accused Of Rape 

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  The Ekiti State Amotekun Corps has recently apprehended a 32 years old man, Oluwatoyin Sunday...

Human Rights3 days ago

IPC Expresses Worry Over Increasing Spate Of Attacks On Journalists In Nigeria 

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  The International Press Centre, IPC, has expressed its worry over the increasing spate of attacks...

Celebrities4 days ago

NOA Ekiti Gets New Acting Director 

Spread the love… As Mr Akin Adeyemi Bows Out Of Active Service  The National Orientation Agency in Ekiti State has...

Security4 days ago

Two-Time Commissioner Allegedly Assaults Woman Journalist In Ekiti

Spread the love… Says Her Life, 3 Children Under Threat  … As Arowolo Denies Assaulting Her … Videos Inside Advertisement...

Jobs4 days ago

Ekiti NUJ Alerts Oyebanji On Need To Recruit More Professional Journalists For BSES

Spread the love… Laments Outrageous Increase In  Electricity Bill The Nigeria Union Of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council, has alerted...

Culture5 days ago

Iyin-Ekiti Unveils Official Website, Sets Stage for Iyin Day 2024 Celebration

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  The Chairman of the Iyin-Ekiti Day 2024 Organizing Committee, Pastor Remi Obaparusi, has announced the...

Education6 days ago

Industrial Court Reinstates FUOYE Don 6 Years After Disengagement

Spread the loveBy Philip Tayo  An Industrial Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State, has ordered the immediate reinstatement of...

Legislative6 days ago

Fayose Exposes Speaker, Wife, 25 Others’ Plan To Embark On Foreign Trip Despite Hardship 

Spread the love… PDP Chieftain Kicks  … As Speaker, Spokesperson Says Trip Self – Sponsored  By Joseph Sunday  Advertisement Isaac Fayose,...

Reports6 days ago

Reps Member Arraigned In Kuje Court For Assault

Spread the loveBy Oladele Ojaomo  An Abuja Court located in the Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory has arraigned...

Reports6 days ago

YIAGA Africa Renews Call For Reduction In Numbers Of Political Parties 

Spread the love… Says Most Political Parties Exists Only On Pages Of Newspapers By Philip Tayo  YIAGA Africa has renewed...

Reports7 days ago

Appeal Court Reserves Judgement In Case Filed By Rahman Adedoyin Over Timothy Adegoke’s Murder 

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  The Appeal Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State Capital has on Tuesday (today) reserved...

Jobs1 week ago

Ikole Progressives Restoration Council Honours Oyebanji With Special Gift For Performance

Spread the loveBy Elizabeth Bamidele  The Ikole Ekiti Progressives and Restoration Council, (IPRC), has honoured the Governor of Ekiti State,...

Reports1 week ago

Timothy Adegoke’s Murder: Court Sets To Hear Appeal Filed By Rahman Adedoyin October 29 

Spread the loveBy Oladele Ojaomo  All is now set for the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State...

Reports1 week ago

Nigeria Police Sets To Investigate Very Dark Man Over Video On Uniform In Circulation 

Spread the love… As It Berates Unlawful Use Of Uniforms By Content Creators  By Oladele Ojaomo  The Nigeria Police Force...

Health1 week ago

CLIMATE CHANGE:Stakeholders Brainstorm On How To Cushion Effects In Ekiti

Spread the love… As Experts Proffer Solutions Climate change has been described as one of the current pressing issues globally,...

Education1 week ago

SUBEB Boss Distances Leadership From School Management Committee’s Letter Asking Support For Projects 

Spread the loveBy Elizabeth Bamidele  The Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Professor Femi Akinwumi...

Business2 weeks ago

Ekiti Take Steps To Address Post Rainfall Disaster 

Spread the loveBy Elizabeth Bamidele  The Ekiti State Government through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has taking steps...

Celebrities2 weeks ago

Bobrisky Hospitalised After Developing Strange Symptoms 

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  The Nigerian popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye has been hospitalised after developing some strange symptoms barely...

Politics2 weeks ago

INEC Train Journalists On Election Guidelines Ahead Of Ondo Guber 

Spread the loveBy Joseph Sunday  The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has trained journalists on its guidelines ahead of the...

Trending