- Groups like the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), and Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) oppose the move
- ECOWAS had set a deadline for coup plotters to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum or face military action
The plans led by President Bola Tinubu of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to initiate military actions against Niger Republic have faced continuous opposition. The move has been criticized by various groups, including the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, and the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI).
This comes after ECOWAS leaders had given a deadline to the coup plotters to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power, or else military intervention would be taken. In response to these developments, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the President of CBCN, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discourage ECOWAS Heads of States from resorting to military force to suppress the coup plotters in Niger Republic.
During a pastoral visit to inaugurate the Mary Mother of God Catholic Parish in Upe, Ngor Okpala local council area of Imo State, Archbishop Ugorji expressed his concern about the recent coup d’etat in Niger Republic and the discussions held by ECOWAS heads of state in Abuja about it.
‘’At the end of their meeting, they gave the coup plotters one week to restore democratic leadership in Niger or risk military intervention. This marching order expires today (yesterday).
“They reasoned that it is wrong to change government by force. They are correct, but we also believe that shedding precious human blood is equally wrong. Two wrongs can never make a right.
“We have wasted a lot of human blood in Africa. We have also wasted precious human lives in Nigeria and we cannot continue in this ugly fashion, for whatever reason.
“For now, we don’t know who is sponsoring the coup plotters. We equally do not know who is behind the decision of the ECOWAS Heads of States. This may be a story for another day.
“The media is awash with the news of some countries that have already declared their full support for the country and their military strongmen. Russia may also be there, without our knowing.
“While we say no to coup d’etat, we also say no to war, for whatever reason. We say no manipulation of election results because it is also another shade of coup d’etat.
“President Tinubu should please, not launch any military expedition in Niger. Let us not forget that during the ECOMOG expedition, Nigeria not only played a major role but also bore the brunt of the losses in human and material resources.
“ECOWAS Heads of State should please, think of what should be the fate of the organization, if they begin military intervention in Niger.
“We have been saying that palliative measures do not cure economic hardship. In the same vein, wars do not resolve misunderstandings. It is better to dialogue instead of going into a full-scale war, which nobody can precisely tell when it will end.”
Continuing, Archbishop Ugorji reminded the Federal Government that if Niger was attacked, Nigeriene citizens would scamper into Nigeria for safety.
“This is not what we should pray for, especially as we are currently battling our sagging economic climate,” Ugorji said.
While reminding Nigerians that “like Jesus Christ, we climb several mountains in our individual, communal and national lives”, Archbishop Ugorji urged citizens to remain steadfast.
His words: “We should remain steadfast, despite tribulations, trials, temptations and suffering. We should live as one family in love and stop all the killings going on in several states of the federation.”
On its part, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, warned Nigeria and ECOWAS authorities not to take military action against the junta in the Niger Republic.
JNI Secretary General, Prof Khalid Aliyu, in a statement issued in Kaduna on Saturday, expressed its deep concern over the seizure of power through a coup from the democratically elected Niger Republic, President Mohamed Bazoum but cautioned against military action.