A politician, Architect Baba Isimi, has cautioned the Nigerian government to tread carefully in applying sanctions against the junta in Niger Republic in practical demonstration of the regional body’s resolve to restore the West African nation to constitutional democracy.
The junta, led by Abdourahamane Tchiani, had overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum and held him captive in the Presidential Palace in Niamey.
Refusing to budge or buckle under the weight of persuasive and compelling calls on it to restore constitutional order, Nigeria had reportedly activated an option of cutting power supply to Niger as part of the ECOWAS’ economic sanctions on the junta.
But Architect Isimi says that the FG has to put on its diplomatic cap instead of this adhoc, expedient reactions as regards the US/Western nations-backed ECOWAS’ sanctions and threats on Niger.
In his riposte to the development, he specifically said: “So Nigeria turns off electricity supply to Niger as part of sanctions? The consequences will be that Niger, Mali , Guinea and Burkina Faso may collaborate, in the nearest future, to build a dam across the River Niger or be aided financially by sympathetic Nation and incapacitate the Kanji and Jebba hydroelectric dams.
“There is a binding treaty between Nigeria and Niger on electricity supply: Niger forgoes building any dam on the River Niger in exchange for electricity from the Kanji and Jebba dams.
“Now, when Nigeria turns it into a weapon, the Nigeriens, to forestall further, future blackmail will build their dam rendering our dams incapacitated.”
His closing remark: “Our leaders need to think things carefully through before taking decisions on issues of regional and global dimensions that may in turn impact and harm our national interests and well-being.”
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