At the ECOWAS summit on the coup in Niger today, the President opted for a dialogue and high-level diplomacy to fix the issues of incessant coups in West Africa.
I like the fact the President planned to use our Nigerian democracy to prove to all dictatorship countries that democracy is the best fit for Africa, especially, Nigeria’s styled democracy. This would mean we would be exporting Africa’s democracy to Africa, Africa for Africa, very excellent!
I like the change of tone in the statement from today’s summit compared to the last: from “Constitutional Order” to “Constitutional Governance”. I sensed President Tinubu’s plans to use Nigeria as the best template for the system of constitutional governance in Africa. Another plus to Nigeria.
By pursuing diplomacy and soft-power engagement, the President recognizes the strategic importance of non-conflict with neighboring countries, especially Niger, of which we shared both the heartland and the rimland together. This, in turn, will lead to the eventual transition of Niger to constitutional democracy, while trusting Nigeria to lead the way. Another huge plus to Nigeria.
Most importantly, we all learn from this crisis that the President is tough and able to take decisive action in any situation, including the use of force, but he listens, yet again, to all voices and arguments, before taking a decision, a hallmark of resounding leadership.
It seems to me that President Tinubu, in his wisdom, can turn an unpleasant situation into the best outcome for the benefit of Nigeria. One would wonder, is President Tinubu making plans to institutionalize African Democracy for Africans, starting from Nigeria?
In doing so, he will have me as a soldier right behind him, in full solidarity to a successful, total democratization of Africa and freedom for Africans.
Adamu Garba II
