Coup: El-Rufai Speaks on ECOWAS' Plan of Going to War With Niger Republic

• Former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has shared his thoughts on the imbroglio in coup-hit Niger Republic
• El-Rufai said the people of Niger Republic are the same as those living in Northern Nigeria
• The former governor asked ECOWAS to "bend therefore over backward to avoid a civil war between brothers"

Kaduna, Kaduna state - The immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday, August 22, warned the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against going to war with coup-hit Niger Republic.

El-Rufai noted, "Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria”.

The ex-governor added that President Bola Tinubu-led ECOWAS should “avoid this civil war between brothers”.

Coup: Niger, Northern Nigeria are brothers -- El Rufai

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Alluding to an old music album, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain shared his thoughts via his verified Twitter handle.

El-Rufai is an ally of President Bola Tinubu, the current chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

He wrote:

“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.”

Coup: Niger junta and transition plan

In a piece of related news, Legit.ng reported that negotiations between ECOWAS' delegates and the Niger military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani have broken down.

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In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, August 20, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musa, said General Tchiani had proposed a three-year transitional but was vehemently rejected by the sub-regional organisation.

Niger's coup leader warns ECOWAS

Legit.ng also reported that General Abdourahmane Tiani, the leader of the military junta in the Niger Republic, disclosed that it would take the country up to three years to transmit power from military rule to the democratic government.

The general then warned that any external attack on the country would not be easy for those involved, TRT Afrika reported.

Source: Legit.ng