Fides Media Living the Faith
By Michael Nnebife
A Political Science teacher at Chukwuemeka OdumegweOjukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Prof Obiajulu Obikeze, has urged Nigeria’s President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to give more attention to solving what he calls the over-aching political and economic challenges in Nigeria instead of planning how to move to Niger for war in whatever form.
The Political Science teacher, who was speaking in a media programme in Awka recently, argued that inasmuch as Africa was the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, the internal affairs of another African country should not occupy Nigeria’s attention to the detriment of Nigerians.
Obikeze said, ‘In a Political Science class, we are told that before you think of international politics and international relations, you must also consider your domestic politics.
‘In domestic politics, we talk about those things as, how far have you gone about organizing your own elections and democracy; how far have you been enjoying democracy in Nigeria; what of corruption and issues of poverty, unity and oneness of Nigeria, banditry and robbery that are so rampant in Nigeria?
‘These are the things I believe our government should have much more interest in, instead of trying to dive and invest much more energy and finances on the issues of neighbours.
‘I know that Africa is the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, but not at the detriment of the country.
‘What I am trying to say is that invading Niger in whichever form should not be the priority of Nigeria’s Government.
‘Unfortunately, the people you want to fight for are rejoicing and jubilating that the army, as their messiah and Daniel, came to save them.
‘So, the ECOWAS leadership should think twice,’Obikeze advised.
Appealing to the ECOWAS states to use only diplomatic strategy in its intervention in Niger’s coup, Obikeze challenged the presidents of the country members of the union to take a sober reflection on how far they had entrenched democratic ethoes and principles in their own countries.