Niger: Don’t Expect a White Saviour. Expect a Nigerian Black Saviour

THE ALTERNATIVE

By Reno Omokri

One of the factors militating against Nigeria’s effectiveness in prosecuting her foreign policy is the fact that patriotism is very low in some parts of the country, and some of our compatriots are ever willing to undermine the government at the centre, irrespective of the fact that their foreign policy is a projection of the values upon which Nigeria was founded.

For example, how would one explain the 180 degree turn of those who hated Niger Republic with a passion when General Buhari, who they claimed was really from Niger, was in power, but are now suddenly the best lovers of that country?

It is just that in Nigeria, we often have a very short memory. Because, some of these emergency lovers of Niger Republic had some very colourful things to say about this country that is largely populated by people of Hausa origin.

Overnight, they are taking sides with a country they disdained for the last eight years, just to spite President Bola Tinubu. But this is not about Tinubu.

No matter what you think of President Tinubu, you must admit that the steps taken by his administration in response to the coup in Niger Republic are thus far commendable. It may not even be Tinubu. It is more likely his top notch National Security Adviser, but it does not matter. At least, he had the good judgment to appoint him.

For the first time, ECOWAS is asserting itself to defend democracy. And Nigeria is leading that defence. Shutting down power to Niger, establishing and enforcing a No-Fly-Zone. Cutting aid and shutting land borders. Very commendable.

And make no mistake about it. The Nigerien putschists are feeling the squeeze. That is why they are sponsoring anti-Tinubu protests in Niamey. That is important. They are not sponsoring anti-Bazoum protests. They are sponsoring anti-Tinubu demonstrations because they know he threatens their dictatorial ambitions. That is novel in West Africa.

If Buhari had been as diplomatically assertive as this, there would still be democratically elected governments in Burkina Faso and Mali.

Every Nigerian citizen, especially our political elite, whether in the ruling party or the opposition, has to support Tinubu’s government for this limited purpose (we will still fight him in court). Because if this coup is allowed to stand, West Africa will have accepted the domino effect of coups and soldiers in member states will get the message. Finding excuses for coups is the easiest thing in the world.

It is possible to roll back coups. President Obasanjo did it in 2003 in São Tomé and Príncipe, a country that is not even a member of ECOWAS. And he did it in a similar mode as Bola Tinubu is currently doing.

Shut electric supply (that has now been done-kudos). Shut finances going in and out. Block land borders. And then wait. The solidarity celebrations you are seeing are staged. By the time it becomes clear that the junta cannot pay its soldiers, the rank and file of the army will turn against it, and that is when you will see the real response of Nigeriens to the coup. Not this choreography you are seeing now!

Fact check me-Nigeria’s defence budget is larger than the defence budgets of every other ECOWAS state combined. Our military personnel are more than the military of all fourteen other ECOWAS nations combined. ECOWAS has a combined annual Gross Domestic Product of $760 billion. Nigeria generates almost $500 billion of that amount, or 63%.

So, while we fervently, strenuously, and consistently pray against war, that does not mean Nigeria should be a pushover, or be afraid of using its military-industrial complex to advance the cause of democracy and the rule of law. We have a vested interest in what happens in next-door Niger Republic, the way Russia has a vested interest in what happens in Ukraine and America in Cuba.

Gone are the days when President Obama would destabilise Libya and then hand off and leave Nigeria to bear the consequences in the form of Boko Haram, which were essentially a spillover effect of the Libyan crisis.

Political instability in the Sahel will not be the direct burden of France, NATO or Russia. Libya and Chad, which share a border with Niger, are somewhat in a crisis. Algeria is dead set against opening its borders to non-Arab, and non-Amazigh persons. Mali is facing hydra-headed issues, including a power struggle, an Islamist insurgency, and a population growth rate higher than her GDP growth rate.

Therefore, if there is political and economic instability in Niger, the influx of refugees and migrants will naturally be to Nigeria.

And that is why it is in Nigeria’s interests to reestablish the rule of law in Niger. Either that or we build a Trump-style wall between us and them.

Singapore is perhaps the least mineral-resourced nation on Earth. Yet, she has the world’s strongest passport, according to the Henley Index, and one of the highest per capita incomes in the world at almost $90,000. And the reason is that Singapore has an unassailable commitment to the rule of law.

The above means intervening to reestablish the rule of law in Niger might be the better option than building a wall.

And for those who are thinking that this is a Western imperialist action, please give Nigeria some credit. We have come of age. We know our right from our left. And we can pursue our own agenda and assert our own interests. And Russia is not the saviour here. Neither are the US or NATO. Nigeria is the Black saviour!

Russian President Putin himself does not want to be overthrown by Wagner. Yet, he is supporting the Niger military junta to overthrow President Mohamed Bazoum, and some Africans are hailing it as an anti-imperialist victory? Why was Wagner’s attempt to overthrow Putin bad, while the Niger junta’s action is good? Same scenario, with different reactions. Because our people don’t think!

Did you not see how Putin and Russia panicked when Wagner’s forces were just 200 miles from Moscow? If a coup is so good, why did they not permit it in Russia? Is the President of Niger more corrupt than Putin? Has he made his political opponents disappear like Putin? Is Russia’s economy thriving and growing at a faster pace than Niger’s?

If there is an argument to support a coup in Niger Republic, the argument is stronger and more robust for supporting a coup in Russia.

And the news trickling in that Niger Republic has invited Russian mercenary Wagner forces into their country shows that the junta which seized power there lacks the executive capacity, mental ability and strategic long-term vision to lead their country. They are just reacting. They do not seem to have any proactive cogent plans beyond seizing power.

How can the Nigerien junta invite a group that even their own home country, Russia, expelled because of their capacity to destabilise Russia, which almost led to the military overthrow of Putin?

If they can destabilise Russia, what about Niger? These guys should think long, deep, and hard about what they are doing. Go to the Central African Republic and see the damage Wagner has done there. Wagner forces have no respect for either the government or people of the CAR.

And for those Nigerian supporters of a failed Presidential candidate now celebrating and salivating that the same thing will happen in Nigeria, I assure you that you will lick your lips FOREVER, but you will never eat the food you desire to eat.

Reno’s Nuggets

After you graduate and get a job, don’t immediately leave your parent’s or guardian’s house to rent your own place. If possible, stay with your parents. Endure any discomfort. Then save what you would have spent on rent and use it as capital to start a business or down payment to buy a home. Real estate is the foundation for your wealth. Don’t be in a hurry to run when you have not learnt to crawl. If your parents live far from where you work, then move in with your siblings, guardians, family friends, or other close family member. Be humble. Humility is not stupidity when it creates an opportunity that leads to financial ability. Respect who you live with. If they say you should wash plates, swallow your pride and wash it. Accept nonsense. It is the price you pay to access much sense!

#RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

Reno Omokri

Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Globetrotter. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022.

Reno

You have the power to summon a stronger positive thought into your mind whenever a negative thought attempts to break into your mind