The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday, tacitly rejected the decision of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to send military forces to Niger Republic.
El-Rufai, who was overlooked for a seat in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, said on his X platform that “the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria.”
Sharing the lyrics to a song, “Brothers in Arms – by Dire Straits”, the former FCT minister wrote, “TUESDAY THOUGHT: As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’, because a war within our subregion is a war between brothers. Indeed, the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria. Let us bend therefore over backwards to avoid this civil war between brothers.
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“And so for this bright Tuesday, please enjoy this classic and reflect on the equally timeless lyrics. Music is something to enjoy, but being so overwhelmed with public affairs in the last 10 years, I have lost valuable pleasurable moments. Time to catch up on lost time. Enjoy!! Life is too short not too!! –
On Wednesday, July 23, the military struck in Niger, deposing the democratically elected President Mohammed Bazoum.
The junta has failed to return power to civil rule despite sanctions by ECOWAS and pressure from international bodies.