The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has advised the Federal Government “to tread with maximum caution on signing any defence pact with the France or United States.”
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, NNPP said signing “such pact would have disastrous implications for internal peace as well as our relationship with our neighbouring countries, especially, those in the Sahel region.”
The NNPP observed that such reported defence pacts would not necessarily fulfil their stated objectives, saying “similar pacts had failed in the past.”
“Countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have recently expelled the French and American soldiers from their bases and reports suggested they’re now lobbying to have a new military base in Nigeria, being at a geographically strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea.
The statement noted that the National Chairman of the NNPP, Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, was compelled to commission an expert group of researchers to look into the matter due to the general alarm it engendered and the overriding calls for caution by many respected citizens and members of the Party from various parts of the country.
NNPP stated that since the abrogation of the Anglo-Nigerian defence pact in the 1960’s, the country had resisted all attempts to recreate military bases in Nigeria and as such the current reported attempt must be subjected to rigorous debate and consensus from the generality of Nigerian citizens.
The party harped on the need to maintain a cordial relationship with affected neighbouring countries like Niger and Mali, suggesting that any defence pact with either France or the United States would impact negatively on Nigeria’s existing regional relationships, aggravate already damaged bilateral relations, and thereby disrupt regional equilibrium and peace.
“Moreover, a new defence pact of this nature will likely compromise our national interest, sovereignty and independence as well as further worsen the current traumatic economic situation of our country.
“Indeed, contrary to justification, the defence pact in the Sahel failed to actually achieve the key objective of fighting terrorism in the region. Based on this, the NNPP is gravely concerned, as a patriotic political party with the long term interest of our nation at heart, to advise the federal government to have a hard-headed look at the complications inherent in signing any defence pact with the French or American governments.
“We have to be extremely cautious on this matter of defence pacts with both France and the United States”, the statement concluded.
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Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Ohanaeze calls for truce between Obi, Umahi
By Donald Iorchir
Abuja
The Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, to seek diplomacy and engage privately with Senator Umahi to gain firsthand insights into critical national development projects.
In a statement on Sunday by Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group said, “it remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering harmonious dialogues, unity, and progress for all Nigerians.
“The organisation echoes a clarion call for collaborative advancement to ensure a prosperous and united Nigeria.”
The statement read, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the venerable bastion of Igbo culture and values, stands resolute amidst the storm of baseless attacks and unwarranted criticism unleashed upon the Lagos Calabar Coastal Road and the visionary efforts of Senator Dave Umahi, Minister of Works.
“The cacophony of disparagement and negative fervour surrounding these transformative initiatives raises eyebrows and prompts reflections on the true motives behind such aggression; clearly not in the interest of the Nigerian people.
“In response to the recent controversies clouding the Lagos Calabar Coastal Project, Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally denounces the unjust vilification aimed at Senator Dave Umahi by Peter Obi and other detractors.
“Setting the records straight, Ohanaeze calls for private dialogue and constructive engagements rather than resorting to public confrontations that could impede the much-needed infrastructural development in the Southeast.
“The recent expressed interest by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in reconstructing major federal highways in the Southeast is a monumental step towards remedying decades of neglect, exemplified by ongoing projects like the Markudi-Nsukka-Nightmile-Enugu, the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, the Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Calabar expressway and others, enabled by innovative Cement Technology.
“Ohanaeze urges Peter Obi to seek diplomacy and engage privately with Senator Umahi to gain firsthand insights into critical national development projects. The organisation stresses the importance of fostering respectful dialogue and discourages actions that could sow discord among the Igbo community and Nigerians at large.
Ohanaeze is privy to intelligence reports debunking the baseless arrest rumors swirling around the distinguished 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, dismissing these as spurious fabrications propagated by malicious elements seeking to undermine the transformative infrastructure strides led by the Tinubu administration under the able stewardship of Senator Dave Umahi.
“It is imperative for Peter Obi to refrain from public acrimony towards Senator Dave Umahi, a stalwart of progress and development in Nigeria and the Southeast, in recognition of the monumental efforts by President Tinubu and Umahi to rectify longstanding infrastructural deficits in the region.
“The Southeast craves an infrastructural revolution that transcends political affiliations, cherishing progress over petty opposition accolades.
“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering harmonious dialogues, unity, and progress for all Nigerians.
“The organisation echoes a clarion call for collaborative advancement to ensure a prosperous and united Nigeria.”
