Arewa Economic Forum to Tunubu: N50bn Nigeria-Niger trade in jeopardy due to sanctions on Niger

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Worst hit in the period of uncertainties between Nigeria and Niger Republic in the wake of the coup in the latter is trade volume worth N50 billion annually.

Unfortunately, this huge trade, largely informal, is suffering due especially to the ECOWAS threat of a military action.

A statement by the Arewa Economic Forum through its Chairman, Ibrahim Dandakata on Sunday in Abuja put this in proper perspectives.

The Economic lobby group said without doubt the relationships between the Niger Republic and parts of Northern Nigeria are so entrenched that a potential war would have an effect on Nigerians within the area.

Consequently, the Arewa Economic Forum urged President Bola Tinubu to apply all diplomatic means to resolve the Niger Republic crisis rather than agree on an ECOWAS military action.

Dandakata said the relationships between the people of Niger Republic and parts of Northern Nigeria had been so entrenched that war with the country would have an effect on Nigerians within the axis.

He highlighted the friction between Niger Republic and Nigeria, which led to disconnection of electricity supply to Niger and closure of its borders with Nigeria, was already taking its toll on innocent citizens of both countries.

The Arewa Economic Forum said entrench democracy in West Africa is purely the role of ECOWAS, and not the sole responsibility of Nigeria, stressing that Nigeria’s N50 billion informal trade is suffering as a result of the uncertainty.

“We appreciate the fact that Tinubu’s election as Nigerian president has further consolidated democracy in Nigeria,” the forum said.

However, it stated that,“We urge the president to take cautious steps in resolving the situation in Niger as a military action would affect innocent masses of both countries.

“Already, trade between both countries, which was largely informal and valued at about N50 billion is suffering. ”

Ibrahim Dandakata said the sanctions should be targeted at the Nigerien military junta and their cronies, while sparing the innocent citizens.

He also urged the military junta in the Niger Republic to immediately express readiness to abide by international trade agreements.

“The Federal Government should not punish the Nigerian traders further. We call for a quick resolution through diplomatic means,” he said.

The leader of the Niger military junta, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, has however agreed to diplomatic dialogue with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after meeting with the Intervention Team of Nigerian Islamic leaders.

The Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, said General Tchiani gave the green light for talks with ECOWAS and was optimistic the talks with ECOWAS would take place in the next few days.

The Prime Minister said, ‘’We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us…. we hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted.’’