John Shiklam in Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has commended President Bola Tinubu, for reopening the Nigeria-Niger air and land borders and the lifting of economic sanctions slammed on the neighbouring country.
Nigeria had closed its borders against Niger Republic in the wake of the coup that sacked Mohamed Bazoum as democratically elected president on July 26, 2023.
However, on March 13, President Tinubu, directed the reopening of the borders between the two countries.
The ACF, in a statement, yesterday, in Kaduna by its spokesperson, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said Tinubu’s directive by for the reopening of the border was a welcome development.
The forum said border communities can now look forward to a change in their challenging economic conditions.
“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 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,” it stated.
The forum also commended the intervention by former military head of state and one of the founding fathers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), for seeing to the end of the crisis.
Mohammed-Baba said Gen. Gowon remained active in uniting West African people around issues of common interests.
