Rev Fr Magnus Ebere, a Catholic priest, has cautioned against resorting to military force as a solution to the crisis in Niger Republic, highlighting potential dire consequences, particularly in Nigeria.

Fr Ebere conveyed this perspective during his address to members at the Canaanland Adoration Counselling Centre in Onicha, located in the Ezinihitte Mbaise local government area of Imo State.

He argued that historical evidence demonstrates that military intervention rarely delivers the desired resolution to crises. Fr Ebere contended that military engagement with the coupists in Niger could exacerbate the already precarious situation….CONTINUE READING

In his view, the most suitable approach to this kind of crisis is through dialogue, not warfare. Fr Ebere stressed that Nigeria would suffer significantly if a strategy of military aggression were adopted.

The priest urged Nigerian political figure Bola Tinubu to focus on addressing domestic issues rather than concerning himself with the affairs of another nation.

Fr Ebere advised ECOWAS countries to utilize dialogue and diplomatic means to engage with the coupists in Niger, deeming it the most effective option.

Furthermore, he called on Tinubu to address the escalating hunger, profound depression, and overwhelming hardships within Nigeria. He pointed out that the situation continues to deteriorate daily.

Fr Ebere also criticized Tinubu’s swift elimination of the oil subsidy. He asserted that the president should have first assumed office, assessed the landscape, formed his cabinet, and sought advice from economic advisors to determine the optimal strategy for managing the situation.

Rushing to eliminate the subsidy during the swearing-in ceremony, according to Fr. Ebere, was a hasty decision that reflected a desire to claim credit for Peter Obi’s manifesto, which had highlighted the intention to remove the subsidy if elected. This move was made without a comprehensive solution in place.