President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government in Nigeria has been cautioned by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) against leading the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to wage war against the military junta in the Republic of Niger.
The CNPP issued a statement expressing their concerns and disapproval of the government’s actions, focusing on the expenses of such a military endeavor while the citizens of Nigeria are enduring hardships.
Challenges to ECOWAS-Led Military Intervention:
The CNPP’s Position: According to the CNPP, Nigeria cannot afford the financial burden of funding a costly military intervention, given the ongoing suffering experienced by its people.
They criticize the decision of Nigeria’s labor unions to call off nationwide protests against the petrol subsidy removal without presenting a concrete plan to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians.
The CNPP believes that the actions and inactions of the labor leaders demonstrate a lack of trustworthiness in negotiating with the Federal Government on behalf of the citizens.
Moreover, they express skepticism about President Tinubu’s promise to revive the petroleum refinery in Port Harcourt by December 2023, considering the failures of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in managing local refineries under the previous administration.
The Need for a New Approach to Refining:
Instead of investing in the rehabilitation of an outdated refinery, the CNPP advises President Tinubu to initiate a contract for a new refinery, highlighting the importance of efficient resource allocation in the digital age.
They emphasize the unreliability of NNPCL’s current management, which has struggled to get a single local refinery working in the past eight years.
Negotiation Over Military Force in Niger:
The CNPP firmly believes that using force to restore constitutional order in the Niger Republic will not be effective, given the economic realities and limited resources in Nigeria.
They advocate for ECOWAS to engage in negotiations with the military junta in Niger and find a middle ground to resolve the situation peacefully.
The CNPP stresses the significance of preserving lives and limited resources in the region.
Call for Cost-Cutting Measures in the Nigerian Government:
The CNPP advises President Tinubu’s administration to concentrate on reducing the cost of government operations.
They argue that having 37 ministers is more than sufficient to run the government and deliver on the promises of democracy.
Given Nigeria’s deep economic crisis and heavy debt burden, the CNPP considers cutting down the cost of running the Federal Government as a top priority for the current leadership.
Conclusion:
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) raises important concerns regarding President Tinubu’s government, urging caution in leading ECOWAS to wage war in Niger and critiquing the handling of domestic issues.
They stress the need for prudence in resource allocation, the pursuit of peaceful negotiations, and the implementation of cost-cutting measures to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
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