TheCable

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has commended President Bola Tinubu for reopening the Nigeria-Niger Republic air and land borders.

Nigeria had closed its borders with Niger Republic in the wake of the military coup that sacked Mohamed Bazoum as democratically elected president of the landlocked West African nation on July 26, 2023.

However, on March 13, 2024, Tinubu directed the reopening of the borders between both countries.

The ACF, in a statement on Thursday signed by Tukur Muhammad-Baba, its spokesperson, said Tinubu’s directive was a welcome development.

The forum said border communities can now look forward to a change in their challenging economic conditions.

“Critical supplies of food, medicines and electricity will now resume as will air travel,” the statement reads.

“President Tinubu deserves accolades for the latest move and acting in Africa’s interests, a heroic step forward against neo-colonial manoeuvres.

“ACF congratulates the President for emerging from the saga as bona fide, listening and responsive leader concerned with the plight of the people of Nigeria, Niger and, ultimately, West Africa.”

The ACF also commended the intervention by Yakubu Gowon, former military head of state and one of the founding fathers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mohammed-Baba said Gowon remains active in uniting the people of West Africa around issues of common interests.

The forum also urged the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to back down on their threat to exit ECOWAS.

“This is no time for muscle flexing but one to sweep away the detritus of a war of words between brotherly nations for the sake of unity and progress; all must remain in ECOWAS for the benefit of member nations,” the statement added.

“The recent misunderstandings and animosities are but irritating bleeps that can and should be overcome in the interest of all West Africans.”