Emmanuel OchayiFormer Nigerian Senator, Shehu Sani, has expressed concerns about the ongoing decision to cut off electricity supplies to the Niger Republic.
In a series of tweets posted on his official Twitter handle, Sani stated that the move which was aimed at putting pressure on the military junta in Niger, has raised questions about its effectiveness and unintended consequences.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSenator Sani pointed out that the power supply disruption is not only affecting the military junta but is significantly impacting the daily lives of ordinary citizens in Niger. Hospitals, schools, homes, and offices have all been affected by the lack of electricity, creating a dire situation for the masses of the country.
The former lawmaker said the approach is not effectively pressuring the military government, but rather punishing the innocent citizens and fostering resentment towards Nigeria.
He further noted that the collective actions of Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and other stakeholders are inadvertently pushing the Nigerien population to rally around their military government.
The perceived external pressure from countries like France, and regional organisations like ECOWAS, and Nigeria could be strengthening the resolve of the military junta. Instead of weakening the government’s grip on power, these actions may be fostering a sense of unity against perceived external interference.
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Senator Sani’s tweets also pointed out the potential long-term consequences of the electricity supply cutoff. He argued that by pushing Nigeriens to learn to live without external dependence, the combined efforts of France, ECOWAS, and Nigeria might be unintentionally encouraging the country to become more self-reliant and less reliant on international support.
This unintended outcome could ultimately reshape Niger’s political and economic landscape, leading to changes in the dynamics of power and dependency within the nation.
The former senator’s remarks have ignited discussions on the effectiveness of the current strategy and the need for a more comprehensive approach that takes into account the well-being of Niger’s population.
He wrote: “Cutting off electricity supplies to the Niger Republic is affecting their hospitals, Schools, homes, and offices.
“This is not putting pressure on the military junta but punishing the masses of that country and creating resentment against our country.
“The action taken by Nigeria and ECOWAS is further pushing Nigerians to rally around their Military Government. France, ECOWAS & Nigeria are pushing them to learn to live without dependence.”
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
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