Opinion

Voice of Emancipation: Stop the Invasion of Niger Republic

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2023

Eric

By Kayode Emola

We’ve all seen the terrible consequences inflicted across the world by the war between Russia and Ukraine, with over a million people fleeing Ukraine in fear for their lives at the start of the war in 2022. As the world is still grappling with the tragic aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine, the last thing we want, especially in Africa, is another war right now, particularly on the motherland of all continents.

However, the threats made by the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) of employing military force to restore the president of Niger, should the coup leaders fail to do so before an ECOWAS-mandated deadline, may trigger just that. The fact that the newly instated president of ECOWAS, Bola Tinubu, is the same Tinubu elected earlier this year to the Nigerian presidency, any action taken by ECOWAS is likely to be seen as a personal attack on Niger by Nigeria.

There is no potential benefit for either country if Nigeria were to invade Niger Republic. The only motivation for President Tinubu to invade Niger is to send a strong warning to his own men in khaki against plotting a coup at home. He wants to use Niger as an example to send a message to any West Africa countries whose military personnel, emboldened by the success of Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali in toppling their elected governments, may be contemplating similar actions.

If Nigeria were to invade Niger Republic under the premise of restoring democratic leadership, then it must also simultaneously invade these three countries, given that their present governments, too, are unelected. The fact that so many African countries are opting to topple their governments in favour of military rule, even in this day and age, suggests that there is something fundamentally wrong at the root. That which we call ‘democracy’ in Africa is a ruse, causing national impoverishment rather than being the panacea to national development that the elite claim it to be.

The current assortment of political leaders have sought to be in power for the sole purposes of satisfying their own lust and those of their neocolonial masters. They demonstrate no interest in providing leadership for their people. Whilst they avail themselves of the fat of the land, most people on the African continent lack the necessities just to live. Many can’t even afford to feed themselves and their families, let alone acquire the luxuries enjoyed by the ruling castes.

The military takeover of Niger is about more than a simple change of leadership. It is born out of the decades of injustice inflicted on the people by their colonial master, France, who even now continues to exploit Niger and the other francophone countries. Despite the rampant poverty in these West African francophone countries, they still underwrite the French economy. Yet they are regarded as ‘poor’ and are compelled to serve the needs of the French government and its people.

We should not allow ourselves to be pawns in the hands of the Europeans and Americans who care only about their own gain. Not only do they not have the best interests of the Nigerien people at heart, they have no regard for them whatsoever. Their only concern is for the cut-price resources they can extort from the country, and, indeed, the whole continent.

_This_ is what needs to be addressed, rather than a confrontational military approach that will create unnecessary enmity between our peoples for many generations. If Africa’s political classes strived to provide excellent leadership for their people, no coups d’état would take place.

The fundamental issue here is that the current geographical boundaries across Africa do not represent the peoples therein. These borders are an artificial construct imposed by the colonial masters to be used as a weapon of conflict and ongoing oppression in Africa.

Four countries in West Africa have already experienced military takeover, and, with the current pressure-cooker situation, it is only a matter of time before the rest of the continent follows suit.

The recent coup in Mali led to a new constitutional referendum taking place, resulting in the rejection of the French language and adoption of 11 new official languages from the local people groups instead. This bold step is evidence that Mali should never have been amalgamated into a single country. Thus, the next step must be freedom for the major nationalities to form their own independent nations, deciding amongst themselves whether to form a confederation or remain independently sovereign.

There is historical precedent for this: Lichtenstein, a small European country with a population of only 39,000 in the 2021 census, are one of the most financially prosperous, with more registered companies than citizens. Diminutive size should not be a barrier to nations withdrawing themselves from the bigger conglomerations created by the colonial masters. Equally, there is no reason that peoples with similar values should not merge, thereby forming even stronger nations.

However, this must be done in line with the will of the people, not as the manipulation of the political class. Only when this is done, and the rule of law is allowed to thrive, will we have true democracy in Africa. Otherwise, we will be continuing to treat the symptoms whilst allowing the underlying problem to continue destroying the continent.

Whilst Nigeria and ECOWAS may feel obliged to intervene against the military coup in Niger, this will only exacerbate the animosity across the region. The Yoruba people must prevail on President Tinubu not to invade Niger Republic as the coup in that country has nothing to do with us. The onus ought now to rest on the West African Union, and indeed the entire African Union, to do the right thing, offering the Nigerien people the opportunity to decide for themselves whether they want to remain in this colonial arrangement or free themselves forever.

Opinion

Dele Momodu: Charismatic Gentleman @65

Published

5 days ago

May 10, 2025

Eric

By Yemi Edun

Aare Dele Momodu is undoubtedly one of the most recognisable names, voices, and personalities to emerge from the world’s most populous Black nation Nigeria.

Anyone who has travelled with Bob Dee would understand the magnetic presence he carries from Atlanta Georgia, Accra to Nairobi, down to Central London. He receives nods of admiration, requests for photos, and warm pats on the back wherever he goes. A true cultural ambassador, effortlessly at ease in rich native attire, which his commanding presence makes look truly majestic, he wears native outfits like royalty.

He is a consummate storyteller, an indefatigable workhorse, and one of the most selfless and hospitable people I know. His generosity is legendary. Mention Dele Momodu at any Marriott Hotel in East Africa, and you can expect the red carpet to be rolled out.

I was stunned at Kotoka International Airport as immigration and customs officials broke into chants of “Ovation! Ovation!” while we walked through, it was surreal but perfectly fitting for a man so deeply respected.

Bob Dee is at home with the old and young, with royalty and regular folk alike. There are countless moments that reflect his goodness, but allow me to share just one:

In Summer 2023, while holidaying in Accra with my family, Aare generously assigned his Ghanaian chef to us for two full weeks serving delicious meals until we had to kindly ask him to pause! Not long after, he flew into Accra and hosted us at La Chaumiere his favourite upscale French restaurant, where his presence is evidently cherished.

As my daughter and I prepared to return to London, we discovered shockingly that her passport had expired just a day earlier. I had to remain behind to resolve the issue. By divine timing, Bob Dee called to check in, and upon hearing the situation, immediately sent his driver. We spent that night in his elegant Accra home.

The next morning, using her Nigerian passport, we flew into Lagos. On his advice, I contacted Mr. Governor, and thanks to that call and Bob Dee’s understanding of the terrain, a new British passport was issued the same day.

Happy Birthday, Aare. A charismatic gentleman, who treats all with warmth and deserved respect.

@yemiedundf

Opinion

A Tribute of Grace to My Younger Brother, Dele Momodu, @65

Published

1 week ago

May 8, 2025

Eric

By Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

My Beloved Aburo,

Your heart beats with the rhythm of compassion,
Your laughter softens the storms of men,
And your pen—yes, that mighty pen—has built bridges where once stood walls.

Today, I speak not only with words,
But with the rhythm of gratitude,
The poetry of love,
And the dance of legacy.

You are more than a name—
You are Dele Momodu.
A spirit of honour.
A vessel of humility.
A generous soul.
A quiet strength wrapped in dignity and thunder.

In you, kindness flows like a river,
And generosity walks hand in hand with wisdom.

You have fed minds, lifted voices,
And sewn hope into the very fabric of Africa.

You write—oh, how you write—
With fire, with elegance, with truth.
You publish, you speak, you dream aloud.
You carry the soul of a president, even when the title passed by.

But allow me this honest moment:
As I turned through the pages of Ovation Magazine,
I searched for a picture of us—
You and I,
Captured in joy, frozen in memory.
But it was not there.

*Yes, I am jealous!*
I say it with a loving smile.
It’s alright… this time.
But when the next milestone arrives,
*When seventy comes knocking—*
*By the grace of God, we shall all be alive.*
And when that time comes,
Let my picture rise with yours,
Let our laughter live in history.
Let it not be forgotten—*again.*

So, as you are honoured today,
And as voices rise in celebration,
Know this, my dear brother:

You are deeply cherished.
You are profoundly celebrated.
And I—your sister, your friend, your family—
Walk with pride in your light.

May joy crown your 65 years,
And may heaven prepare glory for your 70th.

With all my heart and prayers,
Mama OluwaBunmi Adedayo

Opinion

Towards a Non-Violent Local Government Election in Lagos State

Published

1 week ago

May 5, 2025

Eric

By Tola Ogunnubi

The upcoming July 12, 2025 Local Government Election in Lagos State is a litmus test for the 2027 general elections.

The election of executives at the grassroots level to run the affairs of the Local Government has always been a mixture of peace and violence between leading political parties, aspirants, indigenes and settlers in the various area councils. Local government elections is a critical element of democracy and governance which provides a vital pathway for new political participants to engage communities and impact governance from the ground up in their quest for good governance.

In Lagos State, elections have always been characterized with violence and peaceful conducts. Clashes between APC supporters and main opponents’ supporters from the PDP have been reported from various parts of the state like Surulere, Agege, Amuwo-Odofin, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Ojo, Oshodi-Isolo and Kosofe LGAs of the state.

Election violence can diminish voter turnout, influence election outcomes, and erode public trust in the electoral system raising concerns about the legitimacy of results according to Yiaga Africa. Political parties should ensure that the local elections is not a zero sum game, whereby the winners takes it all and the benefits of good governance is limited and retained to only party members and loyalists.

The violence that led to the death of Jide Badaru and one other with several people injured in August 2018 in Surulere Local Government should not be allowed to happen again. According to the cousin of the deceased Mr. Babatunde Badaru, a former Local Government Chairmanship Aspirant in his accounts of the violence that characterizes elections in Surulere LGA.

The wanton destruction of properties, continued threat to lives of opposition supporters should be a thing of the past. Since it is a grassroots election, the African communal sense of being should be displayed during the elections. Perpetrators of electoral violence and their sponsors should be arrested and should be diligently prosecuted so as to deter others who see violence as a viable pathway to electoral victory.

Tola Ogunnubi ANIPR wrote in from Abuja Abuja