Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has warned President Bola Tinubu against attacking Niger Republic.
Recall that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under the leadership of President Tinubu, had slammed the embattled country with various sanctions following the ouster of its president, Mohamed Bazoum.
Nigeria had earlier disconnected the supply of 150 megawatts of electricity daily to Niger Republic as part of the ECOWAS’ efforts to restore democracy there.
READ ALSO: http://We may invade Niger Republic — US tells coup plotters
In a fresh development, President Tinubu had announced via his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Tuesday, that more sanctions had been carried out against the Niger Republic by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Weighing in on the situation, El-Zakzaky alleged that France and the United States, US, are trying to use Nigeria to attack Niger Republic and he urged the Nigerian leader not to fall for the ‘antics’ of the West.
He said President Tinubu should understand that Nigeria and Niger Republic were one going by history, noting that such a move was shocking.
In a statement he signed, El-Zakzaky traced the historical unity between Nigeria and Niger.
According to him, “All of a sudden, France and the US want to use Nigeria to attack Niger.
“This is very shocking given the fact that Nigeria and Niger are one people.
READ ALSO: http://Tinubu speaks on military option in Niger
“Even if southern Nigeria does not see it that way, we in northern Nigeria had empires founded by Shehu Usman Danfodio and Kanem Borno. It was the territories of such empires that were carved out to create Niger and Nigeria.
“The cultural ties that Niger and Nigeria share are closer than people imagine”.
“We are twin brothers, sharing the same roots and values. I hope this is clear.
“They are our brothers since the hometown of our founding father is located in their country. It is unimaginable that we would one day end up fighting against each other. It is shocking that these ruthless people want to use this country to attack our brothers, just to engage in fratricidal genocide, right?”