“Dr. Monday Ubani, a rights activist and lawyer, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against any attempt to invade Niger Republic with the military in the name of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), while discussing the issue, said that such a move would be the worst mistake the president could make, and the consequential effect would be too catastrophic for the country.

While he acknowledged that economic sanctions could be understandable, he emphasized that involving military invasion should be the last option to be considered. He stated that it would be a grave mistake for the president to attempt any such action.

“The worst move President Tinubu could make today is to authorize any military invasion of Niger Republic. It will be a very grave mistake that will bring untold hardship and unimaginable catastrophe to our fledgling democracy and weak economy. Let him not try any such move. ECOWAS can impose economic sanctions rather than physical military action. It will be foolish and costly,” said Ubani, former Vice President of NBA.

It should be recalled that the president had sought the approval of the National Assembly for the deployment of the military to force the coupists in Niger Republic to hand over power to the dethroned president.

However, reports said the National Assembly turned down the request, washing their hands off such action, even as unconfirmed reports suggest that the French Government is behind President Tinubu’s desire to deploy the military in the turbo-charged country.”