Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged President Bola Tinubu to focus on solving Nigeria’s security and economic problems.
The advice came on the backdrop of moves by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deploy troops to Niger, with a view to restoring to power, President Mohamed Bazoum, who was recently toppled in a military coup.
LCCI President, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, disclosed this in a statement yesterday, saying Nigeria has political and economic challenges, besides the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said if the government is struggling to contain security challenges, deploying troops to Niger Republic could be detrimental to the economy.
He said while the chamber backs cutting off electricity supply to Niger as one of the measures to bring the junta to its knees, and to the negotiating table, it does not support any decision to deploy Nigerian troops as part of a regional force.
Olawale-Cole expressed concern that such a decision may have wider implications. He said the war, if allowed to start, could weaken the economies of ECOWAS member-states.
He said: “President Bola Tinubu had indicated his plan to deploy Nigerian troops to Niger to force out the junta in the country, requesting the Nigerian Senate’s approval. The chamber views the ultimatum as hasty and ill-advised.
“The world today is more polarised, and the propensity to engage in military conflict is high. In today’s world, countries’ actions, and decisions are largely driven by their strategic intentions as they pursue their goals and objectives.”
The LCCI boss advised that top-level political, consultative and diplomatic engagements with the junta are likely to be more effective for peace in the sub-region.
This came as a group urged Yoruba living in Niger Republic to come back home, following political developments in that country.
In a statement, signed by National President of Yoruba Youth Socio-Cultural Association (YYSA), Habib Olalekan Hammed, and National Secretary, Olawale Ajao, the group said Niger has become a red zone which should be avoided.
It said: “Following the hostility Yoruba are currently facing in Niger Republic, we implore them to vacate the country if they feel threatened or realise that their security is no longer guaranteed.
Although, we know that many of them have invested heavily in the country but notwithstanding, safety is first.”
Source: The Guardian
