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Niger coup: Bode George warns Tinubu, don’t force Nigerians to engage in endless war
Former National Deputy Chairman (South-West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, warning the Nigerian leader against the planned invasion of Niger Republic by armies drawn from the West African sub-region.
The regional bloc has been mulling a military intervention as part of measures to restore democracy in the West African country following a coup that removed President Mohammed Bazoum last week, but George, a retired general, says Tinubu who is the Chairman of ECOWAS, should not drag Nigeria into a war.
In the letter dated Friday, August 4, George raised several reasons why the President should not consider a military intervention in Niger:
“Dear President Bola Tinubu,
“I write to you as a Nigerian, a retired General in the Nigerian military, a patriot and a war tactician.
“On July 26, 2023, the Commander of the Presidential Guard in Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, seized power and is now the new strongman of the Nigerien Armed Forces.
“As the leader of ECOWAS, you immediately invited other West African leaders and an ultimatum was given to Tchiani that Bazoum must be reinstated or else, a strong military force (just like ECOMOG in Liberia and Sierra Leone) will invade Niger Republic and forcefully reinstate him.
“The population of Niger Republic is 27,294,785 (just like Lagos State). Niamey is the capital and the population is 1,437,000 (not up to Alimosho Council in Lagos) and as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who gets security briefings everyday since you were sworn in on May 29, 2023, you may have been told that even a Brigade of the Nigerian Army, commanded by a Colonel, can crush the soldiers in Niger Republic.
“Now, my observations:
“First of all, you have done the right thing by sending a delegation consisting of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, a retired Brigadier-General, to meet the Military High Command in Niger.
“It is okay to send a delegation. Diplomacy is always a better option to war. To jaw jaw is better than war war.
“But, I believe, it would have been better if the full Nigerian colouration was reflected in that delegation.
“Some diplomats (serving or retired) should have been included in the delegation. Diplomats are trained for a situation like this. What is happening in Niger right now is not only for the military.
Read also: Bode George hails Tinubu’s performance so far, says it’s not perfect but reasonable
“Number two, when you have a crisis within, you solve that first before going international with a ‘Big Brother’ posture.
“In your last national broadcast, you even admitted that Nigerians are going through a lot and everything is being done to alleviate their suffering.
“In Nigeria today, there is no food, no financial power to buy fuel, no light, no money. Nigerians are psychologically stranded and people are really going through a lot. So, I don’t know what our going to Niger Republic with full military power will achieve.
“If you remember, Nigeria, almost singularly, financed ECOMOG military operations and that was when our economy was better. Which economy are we going to use now to finance a full military operation in Niger Republic, when Mali and Burkina Faso have threatened to take sides with Niger Republic?
“Will this not lead to the collapse of ECOWAS? Do we really know the type of partisan game Western powers, on one hand, Russia and China, on another hand, and some other African countries, are playing behind the scene? Can we really trust any one of them?
“Should Nigeria’s interest not play a major role before taking any decision of this gargantuan dimension which can lead to loss of lives and destruction of properties?
“I saw a video of some Nigeriens, on a road show, backing Tchiani and abusing you. That may have been arranged by the coupists quite alright but do we need that type of distraction now when everything is being done to ensure that Nigeria moves its economy to the next level?
“Do we know the involvement of Russians because of the Uranium in Niger? In Nigeria, the electoral process is yet to be concluded, the palliatives you promised because of the removal of fuel subsidy payment are still in the air, so why do we want to send our soldiers to engage in a needless war?
“In ECOMOG, Nigeria paid for almost everything. But the economy then was different from what we have now.
“We all know that Nigeriens, directly or indirectly, are fighting the French because of Assimilation Policy which has affected the Francophone speaking countries, unlike what we have in English speaking countries, like Nigeria.
“We should think twice before entering another country militarily. Don’t start what you cannot finish.
“Niger is one of the largest (land border) countries in the world and also one of the poorest. What exactly do we gain if we go to war in Niger? What? So that people can praise us as a defender of democracy? When people are dying at home, do we need that type of commendation from anybody?
“I am a retired General. So, I know that war is not easy. Please, don’t force Nigerians to engage in an endless war.
“Despite its mineral wealth, Niger Republic has been held down by its leadership for decades. More than 75 per cent of Nigeriens are poor and uneducated. At the right time, if they don’t want Tchiani, they will get rid of him. Let Nigeriens deal with their rot and let us focus on how to save our own situation back home.
“I am sure you know that seven Northern states – Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno – share a 1,608 kilometres long border with five regions in Niger Republic. In case of any war, residents of these states will be direct targets of bullets and missiles. This can also lead to a resurgence of criminal activities in the border areas.
“Also, some countries, such as Algeria, Libya, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali share borders with Niger Republic. Can we trust these countries to support us militarily and otherwise in case of a war with Niger Republic?
“In all of these, we should ask ourselves, why did we finance a rail line to Maradi during the President Muhammadu Buhari administration?
“Russia invaded Ukraine over a year ago. Thousands of people – soldiers and civilians – have been killed, billions of dollars worth of properties have been destroyed and there is still no end in sight.
“In International Relations and Politics, you protect your national interest first. Burkina Faso and Mali openly declared that they would support Niger. Can we also trust Chad which has been under military rule since April 2021? Are we sure this move to invade Niger Republic will not affect ECOWAS?
“Is this the right time to spend the money Nigeria doesn’t have to fight in another country?Politically, economically, socially, we are still in a quagmire. Then you want to add the fourth one: Warfare.
“Anybody who has been in the military will tell you war is not an easy thing. We must be careful.
“Thank God you have started the diplomatic move. Let the envoys continue the diplomatic discussion in Niger. War is not a tea party,” he concluded.
When Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, tied the knot with Temi Otedola, daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, many in Nigeria’s elite circles questioned why one of the nation’s most prominent families would give their daughter’s hand to a musician.
But at the couple’s white wedding in Iceland, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, provided an answer that silenced critics by confirming Mr Eazi as an entrepreneur with businesses across 18 countries on the continent.
Below is a list of Mr Eazi’s businesses, not known to many Nigerians.
1- emPawa Africa – Founded in 2018, emPawa is a talent incubation and music distribution platform that has helped launch stars like Joeboy. It provides mentorship, funding, and resources for up-and-coming artists across Africa.
2- Zagadat Capital – Mr Eazi’s venture capital firm invests in startups in tech, media, and entertainment. Notable investments include:
3- pawaPay – A pan-African mobile payments company.
4- Thrive Agric – an agri-tech startup connecting farmers to investors.
5- BetPawa – A popular online betting platform.
6- Street Banker – A financial inclusion project for underserved communities.
7- Choplife Gaming & Choplife SoundSystem – Expanding beyond music, Eazi launched Choplife Gaming in 2022, a pan-African lottery and gaming company. His Choplife SoundSystem blends music, events, and lifestyle branding into a cultural business model.
Although less publicised, the singer has confirmed investments in real estate projects across Nigeria and Ghana, as well as hospitality ventures linked to his Choplife brand.
Through Zagadat Capital, Eazi also holds stakes in several fintech firms driving financial inclusion across Africa.
Now married into one of Nigeria’s most influential families, Mr Eazi embodies a hybrid lifestyle — blending music, global entrepreneurship, and elite family life.
For him, business has never been secondary.
As Dangote hinted, music may be just the tip of the iceberg. With ventures spread across at least 18 African countries, Eazi is positioning himself not just as a musician, but as one of the continent’s most ambitious entrepreneurs.
And with his marriage to Temi Otedola, many say the couple may just become Africa’s new symbol of power, wealth, and influence.
News
2027 Election: “Tell Tinubu This”, – Primate Ayodele Sends Strong Warning To Tinubu In New Prophecy
Prophet Ayodele has consistently been in the news week in, week out. It is either he is releasing a fresh prophecy that’s gaining traction or a previous prohecy has just come to fulfilment and people are talking about it.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele stated that the present administration is full of wrong advisers who are pushing for irrelevant policies, and making good advisers enemies of the president.
The prophet warned the president against making good advisers his enemies, as it will lead to the end of his government if care isn’t taken.
“Tinubu’s administration is full of wrong advisers; they are turning him against his good advisers, and he will make them his enemies. He is creating enemies, and those whom he thinks love him would be his worst enemies.
“There are lots of irrelevant policies they are using to kill Tinubu’s government; these are policies that will build up massive protests against the government and division. He should do the needful; there are several irrelevant policies already, but the focus ought to be on what will make people happy. “
Primate Ayodele mentioned some things the president should focus on, and they include development and surplus for the people. He stated that road construction is good, but it’s not enough for the people.
He commended the president for his efforts on insecurity but urged him to do more.
“Tinubu should focus on development, on how to create surplus for the people. Road construction is good, but it’s not the only thing people need; he needs to look into other areas.
“On insecurity, he is doing well, but he should do more, activate forest security in order to end kidnapping. He should increase the salaries of national assembly members because it will turn the nation into chaos. He should also eradicate darkness, and not add more tariffs and taxes to basic things in the country.”
What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange rate at the black market also known as the parallel market (Aboki fx)?
See the black market Dollar to Naira exchange rate for yesterday 13th September, below. You can swap your dollar for Naira at these rates.
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1520 and sell at N1550 yesterday 13th September 2025, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC). …CLICK LINK TO CONTINUE READING
What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange rate at the black market also known as the parallel market (Aboki fx)?
See the black market Dollar to Naira exchange rate for yesterday 11th September, below. You can swap your dollar for Naira at these rates.
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1525 and sell at N1550 yesterday 12th September 2025, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC). …CLICK LINK TO CONTINUE READING
Amidst swirling rumors surrounding Oseloka Obi, the son of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for 2023, a new twist has emerged regarding persistent allegations about his gender identity.
In response to a flurry of speculation, Oseloka has taken a stand against the viral claims connecting him to homosexuality, which were sparked by the circulation of photographs featuring him alongside Kent Okwesa, a British-Nigerian based in London. Click link to continue reading.
“We’ve lost two games in a row, it’s not good enough, it’s way too bad,” he said, speaking to Viaplay in Norway. “We need to figure it out, get back to winning ways.
Pep Guardiola’s side are in the bottom half of the Premier League table heading into the clash having lost back-to-back matches against Tottenham and Brighton before the international break. Click link to continue reading.
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