The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the reopening of the Nigeria – Niger air and land borders, lifting of economic sanctions, restoration of power supply (to Niger Republic) and other restrictions, Vanguard newspaper reports.
The Forum however, appealed to Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Guinea to remain in ECOWAS.
In a statement, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, explained that the “ACF 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 were seen to only serve imperialist and neo-colonial interests, against the complex historical socio-cultural, economic and political ties which pre-dated European colonialism and its imposition of highly arbitrary boundaries.”
According to the Forum, the directive from President Tinubu “is a welcome development for Nigeria and Niger, whose border communities had groaned under the sanctions with local economic activities asphyxiated. The (border) communities 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.”
“President Tinubu deserves accolades for the latest move and acting in Africa’s interests, a heroic step forward against neo-colonial maneuvers. 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.”
“ACF also appreciates the intervention by General Dr. Yakubu Gowon, former Nigerian Head of State and a Founding Father of ECOWAS, in seeing to the end of 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.
ACF also called on the heads of governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger (and Guinea) to back down on their threat to exit ECOWAS.
“This is no time for muscle flexing but one to sweep away the detritus of a war of words between brotherly nations for the sake of unity and progress; all must remain in ECOWAS for the benefit of member nations. 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. Long live West African communities and May God continue to guide our leaders aright in their policy actions,” the statement added.
