By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna.
Coalition of 593 Groups under the auspices of Northern Consensus Movement NCM has called on the Nigeria President to think twice and withdraw his planned agenda of military attack on Niger Republic.
Addressing a Press conference in kaduna Leader of the groups Dr, Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu,Said that"We believe that Diplomacy is superior to threats or the use of force that maybe difficult or impossible to implement.
The Dr, Awwal noted that "Preventing coups is not by sanctions and threats, but by addressing leadership deficit and corruption, curtailing negatives external pressure as well as building of credible institutions to provide for the needs of the people.
"Originally, Nigeria and Niger Republic are like sisters, as initially there is strong bounding between both countries in terms of Religion, Cultural and Marital affairs.
"The decision of military attack can lead to civil war. States with land Border with Niger that will be on the firing line are: Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno.
The President of the Amalgamated groups further disclosed that "Northern Consensus Movement NCM is worried about the President's request from the Senate, seeking implementation of 7 point resolution against Niger Republic, some of which involves military action, cutting off electricity supply to Niger Republic etc but does the President know the implications of these resolution, we doubt.
He maintained that "Now the United Nations UN has given ECOWAS the green light to intervene militarily in Niger Republic, if within one week the new military administration in that country does not restore Presidential power to the ousted former President. We heard that Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali are ready to respond in any way deem fit.
"We imagine a situation when these countries decided to start targeting each of the ECOWAS countries involved in the attack, we fear that especially Nigeria will be the major target. We have over one hundred thousand IDPs in Diffa alone in Niger Republic for over 10years now unresolved. So, Nigeria can't afford to support any military joint operations of ECOWAS, especially in terms of it's financial implications.
According to Dr, Awwal Aliyu "We are also reminding Mr President that North West Region that gave him the highest vote of over 5million, during his election, which makes him the President of Nigeria today, will be swallowed first if the war takes place.
We commend the Nigerian Senate for taking exception to the use of military action, until possible options mentioned are exhausted. We fear that the resultant consequences will be casualties among the innocent citizens, who go about their daily businesses will be mostly affected.
"The Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) supports a peaceful and diplomatic resolution of the Imbroglio.