The #EndBadGovernance protests veered into international politics in the Northern part of Nigeria when Russian flags were bandied, with calls for the military to nudge aside the civilian government and come back to power. But commend the Chief of Defence Staff, Chris Musa, spoke the mind of Aso Villa by describing such calls as treason.

No government will sit back and watch its sovereignty being threatened. Arrests have been made – according to the police; about 50 persons are in police custody for such a brazen display of calling for regime change. Salman Garba, the Kano State Police Commissioner said some of those arrested are foreigners.

To President Bola Tinubu and his team, it may sound strange that protests over hunger and maladministration were submerged into calls for military intervention and Russian attention. However, this frightening dimension also calls for a thorough soul searching on the part of those in power.

Tinubu is chairman of ECOWAS and under his watch, three founding members, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali, have exited the regional body, following heavy sanctions slammed on them following regime changes in the three countries. Following their suspensions the three of them have come together as one, under a new bloc, the Alliance for Sahel States (AES).

When Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani assumed office in Niamey in July 2023, Nigeria had no Foreign Affairs Minister to advise the government on what line of action to take. That vacuum could have led to the ill-advised position to war-war instead of jaw-jaw, on the part of Abuja, which had taken a hard line stance.

Diplomatic ties between both countries have remained stained ever since. The sanctions Nigeria imposed on the Niger Republic included cutting off essential supplies and shutting the border. Little separates both countries, which have large populations of Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri.

The umbilical cord between the two nations even goes further, with at least two former Nigerian leaders believed to have had their roots in Niger Republic. Having an aggrieved neighbour across the Northern border is something the Presidency should worry about. Some of the protesters in custody are Nigeriens.

The Import is that the AES leaders may have penetrated Nigeria. Tchiani emerged barely one year after Capt. Ibrahim Traore struck in Burkina Faso in 2022. Before them was Col. Assimi Goita, in Guinea.

They met in Niamey before the last ECOWAS Summit which returned Tinubu as chairman. These soldiers are clearly interested in what is happening in Nigeria. Traore moves about in a 2011 model Toyota truck.

The President should address some of the demands of the protesters beyond politics and work harder towards revamping the economy. When there is calm at home, the burden becomes less

He does not have the long convoys of some ECOWAS leaders. Gradually, the Burkinabe leader is turning out to be a role model among deprived West Africans across the various borders. While Gen. Musa demarkets military rule, he should also remember that the Russian African Corps cannot be totally distanced from Nigeria.

In August 2021, Nigeria, represented by then Defence minister, Bashir Magashi, signed a Military Technical Cooperation Agreement (MTCA) with the Russians. A first deal was signed in 2017. In 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari, proudly declared Russia as a good ally.

He announced the support the former Soviet Union gave to federal forces during the 30-month Civil War, which included Ilyushin IL-28 bombers used on Biafrans.

Buhari’s show of gratitude to Vladmir Putin was big news across the globe because it happened at the First Russian-African Summit in Sochi, Russia. Buhari also committed Russia into signing a Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA).

The Russians may be wondering why the display of their flags by their Nigerian partners should be seen as a threat. And their association with the so-called Giant of Africa goes back to the Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills era almost 40 years ago. While international relations uphold policy change, there are also consequences for every action.

Niger Republic may feel entitled to Nigerian support having backed the country, through Hamani Diori, during the Civil War. Tinubu must try and balance the challenges.

The danger of having a hostile neighbour up North, backed by Russia, steeped in defence pact with Nigeria is fearful. Having internal protests as well is scary.

Firstly, the President should address some of the demands of the protesters, beyond politics and work harder towards revamping the economy. When there is calm at home, the burden becomes less.

Tinubu should continue to dialogue with the AES leaders. A divided ECOWAS will affect stability in the region. No leader can operate comfortably under fire at home and furore beyond the borders. (New Telegraph Editorial)

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