*Urges Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger to remain in ECOWAS
By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Makurdi
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger air and land borders and lifting of economic sanctions, which includes restoration of power supply to Niger Republic
The apex Northern group which had maintained opposition to the sanctions and the threat of a Nigeria-led ECOWAS military invasion in the wake of a military coup in Niger, which according to them only served imperialist and neo-colonial interests, against the complex historical socio-cultural, economic and political ties which pre-dated European colonialism.
According to a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the directive from the president is a welcome development for Nigeria and Niger, whose border communities had groaned under the sanctions with local economic activities asphyxiated.
The border communities he said, can now look forward to a change in their challenging life conditions consequential to the sanctions “Critical supplies of food, medicines and electricity will now resume as will air travel operators and passengers see an end to the ordeals while the sanctions lasted”
Part of the statement reads “PBAT deserves accolades for the latest move and acting in Africa’s interests, a heroic step forward against neo-colonial manoeuvres. ACF congratulates the President for emerging from the saga as bona fide, listening and responsive leader concerned with the plight of the people of Nigeria, Niger and, ultimately, West Africa.”
The ACF also appreciated the intervention by General Dr. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), former Nigerian Head of State and a founding father of ECOWAS, in seeing an end to the imbroglio.
” Happily, the General remains active in uniting West African people around issues of common interests. May General Gowon, ACF’s amiable Grand Patron, live even longer, enjoy good health and continue to reap from God Almighty’s Grace and Mercies”.
The ACF called on the political authorities in the Republic of Niger to reciprocate and fully exploit this window of rapprochement to reset Nigeria – Niger relations.
While pointing out that this is not a time for flexing of muscle between brotherly Nations AGF called on the heads of governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger (and Guinea) to back down on their threat to exit ECOWAS.
” The recent misunderstandings and animosities are but irritating bleeps that can and should be overcome in the interest of all West Africans. For certain, lessons have been learnt as to how to process such regrettable political developments that, ipso facto, engendered the acrimonious misunderstandings”.
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