This is as they drummed support for the decision of ECOWAS
to explore military options in its effort to displace the military junta that
has seized power in Niger.
The speakers took turns to make the submissions on Friday at
a symposium organised by the Department of History and International Relations
of the Lagos State University.
The symposium convener, who is also the Head of Department,
Dr Adewunmi Falode, said the meeting sought to keep the public well-informed
about developments in Niger.
“The essence of the symposium is to let the general public
know the truth fact of the situation. we are scholars and we are dispassionate.
we work on facts and not emotions. Our analysis is pure. it will serve as a
guidance to what is happening in that part of the world,” he said.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Coup D’etat in Niger Republic:
National, Regional and Global Ramifications,’ the scholars explained that it
was time the ECOWAS stopped what may
become a trend of military rule in the region.
A lecturer in the department, Dr Olawale Lawal said the
military option is better, while adding that the ECOWAS standby force was up to
the task.
He added that the situation in Niger is the first classic
example of what ECOWAS wanted to use its newly formed joint army for.
Lawal noted, We all have international organizations and in
building them, there are diplomatic tools and that is when you have the
military options. All of them are engaged in diplomatic relations. They talk
when they have issues. That is why they have conventions, protocols and
declarations. But once you run counter to some of these conventions, there will
be a communication of intentions and your failure to abide by some of the
conventions will result in the use of military option.
“In December 2022, West Africa came out with a standing
military command to tackle fundamental jihadism and coup d’etat. All other
coups preceded the December date while the Niger coup is happening after then,
so Niger is the first classical example of the demonstration of the might of
what ECOWAS wanted to use the Army for. At the end of the day, the military of
Niger and the countries supporting all put together cannot defeat the ECOWAS.”
Another lecturer, Dr Habeeb Sanni, said ECOWAS must invoke
the military option or cease to exist.
He said the military has no business in politics, adding
that the Niger coup is anathema to democratic principles.
Dr Henry Ogunjewo of the Department of History and strategic
studies at the University of Lagos said no one knows which country is next if
ECOWAS failed to take action.