Rev. (Dr.) Paul Ndeobi is a social activist and public analyst who supports Nigerian restructuring. In this interview with NGOZI UMA, the cleric—who also serves as Senior Pastor of StraightGate International Church—discussed, among other things, the recent coup in the Niger Republic and the response of the ECOWAS, which is headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Excerpt:
What do you think the driving forces would be for the military to overthrow an elected president in a democracy, given the recent coup in the Niger Republic?
The absence of inspirational leaders is the main issue facing Africa today. The majority of these leaders lack vision. They don’t lead in a transformative way. African nations urgently want leaders with vision. Vision is the capacity to perceive things, people, and situations not only as they are but as they ought to be. Most frequently, African leaders think of themselves as beggars, slaves, and below the level of the Europeans. They cannot effect a meaningful change with that mentality. The Europeans, you know, have this ingrained belief that Africans shouldn’t have complete independence. The Africans must be considered in their efforts to exploit our natural resources. They do not think that the African states would always be independent. You learn that the African heads of state who are following these imperialists’ lead will cause poverty among their own populations. They will be living a luxurious lifestyle while the Europeans and Americans benefit from such a regime. Consider the case of Equatorial Guinea, which attained independence in 1968 and possesses a sizable oil reserve that was only discovered in the 1990s. It is currently the third-largest exporter of oil. However, the roads in Malabo are still somewhat undeveloped when I visit. Despite being Africa’s third-largest oil exporter, it has not developed. How might a coup not occur? These African presidents tend to hold onto power tightly when you see them. Some of them are running for their third or fourth term in office. They have been in office for 35 years. Americans and Europeans will remain silent. However, you’ll see them stand up to enforce the so-called democracy that is intended to benefit the country’s upper classes when the populace awakens and decides to take control of their own future. The main issue we have in the West African region is this. Despite having abundant natural resources, the Niger Republic is one of the world’s poorest nations. Africans are becoming more cognizant of the fact that we cannot stay in the position of being slaves to these Europeans. We cannot stay the Americans’ property.
Nigeria and Niger are almost neighbors. What impact will Nigeria experience from the ECOWAS leaders’ decision to use armed force?
Nigeria will suffer from it. There are many different ethnic groups on the continent of Africa. Nigeria’s northern states have intermarried couples from the Niger Republic. This is because their cultures, languages, and religions are so similar. When you declare war on the Niger Republic, you also indirectly declare war on the area that appears to be a part of Nigeria. You learn that many people moved from Niger to Nigeria during the election season to cast their votes. I recently watched a video of a Niger Republic resident telling President Bola Tinubu that the country heavily supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that now he is attempting to involve Niger in a conflict with the western powers. Look at the construction of the wood-crossings on the border between Niger and Nigeria. That is not the proper way to construct a boundary. You can see how the crowds are growing. Take a look at the insecurity situation in the North and in all of Nigeria. Nigeria is in the worst financial situation. Do you think we should start a war now? A lot of folks struggle to pay for three square meals. Nigeria’s condition is becoming out of control. No Nigerian with a rational mind would support war at this point.
What additional measures do you believe the ECOWAS leaders should consider in order to bring back democracy in the Niger Republic besides military intervention?
The leaders of ECOWAS erred by setting them a seven-day deadline. That’s incorrect. You would make them more resilient if you gave them a seven-day deadline. Even the people of Niger showed up to support the coup. This is a result of their poverty. They require a change because they are hurting. The ECOWAS did not step forward to assist them in determining what they might do to force the current government to act in the best interests of its citizens. Until the populace took the law into their own hands, everyone remained silent. By enabling the populace to gradually revert to democracy over time, they can restore peace. They may reestablish democratic governance in a year or two, one that serves the needs of the populace rather than those of white people. The reason the major powers are interested in Niger is that they are abusing it. This is horrible, and we need to discourage it across Africa.
Does democracy exist in Africa and how is it practiced? It isn’t a true democracy. It’s a caged press. Every time someone speaks, their life is at jeopardy. That isn’t democracy at all. Many people accepted Genesis 9:25, which records Noah cursing Canaan and describing him as his brothers’ servant. His grandchild, whom others mistook for an African, was born to him. They therefore thought that the African continent was cursed. If you are working in the area of the curse, it won’t matter who cursed you; the curse will still exist. We must awaken and end the plague of poverty, malnutrition, banditry, crime, and corruption that has kept Africa in the wilderness.
They voted en masse for a bailout because they desire a change from the oppressive dictatorship that has made them poor. They based their optimism on the 2023 election, but in the end, they did not succeed. They are now examining the judges and do not have enough confidence in them. Man must have hope in order to exist, therefore when that hope is destroyed, you start to steadily deteriorate. They believe that military intervention is probably the wisest course of action because they lack confidence in the judiciary to make the proper decision. Nigeria is a highly racially biased nation, which is the current issue with the military. In Nigeria, ethnicity and religion are important considerations. The Fulani/Hausa tribe must lead any coup that succeeds in Nigeria. If it occurs, the other tribe will strike with great resentment. It will result in further issues. Any coup attempt will trigger a crisis from which we might never recover, which could result in Nigeria’s dissolution. Nigeria would not benefit at all from it.
What would you deem the solution in light of the crises that followed the 2023 presidential election?
the only exit? Let the legal system carry out its duty. If the judiciary renders an appropriate decision that is excellent, it might not necessarily be in Peter Obi’s favor, but let it be what they know is proper so that everyone would know that the government is a single entity and we can find a new direction for Nigeria.
