Niger coup: Be careful, beware of a Tinubu presidency. They didn’t hear. Now we are seeing the manifestation of absolute failure and incapacity, inability, and lack of experience – Activist Mahdi Shehu

Activist Mahdi Shehu has issued a cautionary message to President Tinubu, advising him against engaging in a conflict with the coup leaders in Niger Republic.

During an interview with Arise TV, Shehu emphasized that only an inexperienced President would consider going to war a mere three months into assuming office.

According to him, Engaging in war is not a viable option for Tinubu, whether physically, mentally, intellectually, or militarily. He lacks the capacity required.

Shehu also questioned the intervention of ECOWAS and other nations when previous military takeovers occurred, highlighting that if the Nigerien people have chosen military rule as an outlet for their frustration and have accepted it, then it should be respected.

He went on to suggest that if civilian leaders wish to avoid coups, they must exhibit democratic, responsible, and accountable behavior in their governance. Otherwise, the option of a coup will persist as a recourse for those who feel aggrieved.

In his words; ‘’This is a war that Tinubu cannot afford. Physically, psychologically, intellectually, militarally. The capacity is not there. I think he is using this war as an alibi, as a cover to ensure the war comes between Nigeria, ECOWAS and Niger and that will make him invoke the constitution provision for emergency rule. That will not happen. Nigerians are much wiser.

”They have no business going to Niger if the choice of the Nigerien people to express their own frustration is a military is a military rule and they have welcomed it, so be it! 

”Where was ECOWAS when other countries were being taken over by the military? Where was America, UK? If the military rule is an option to irresponsible leadership, to fraud in governance, to betrayal of trust, so be it.

”If the civilian Presidents don’t like coup, they should be democratic, responsible and answerable. Short of that, coup will always be an option to people who are aggrieved”

‘’If Tinubu decides to go and invade Niger along with ECOWAS, he will lose more than ECOWAS because definitely, we going to the polls anytime, any day soon, we will go back to the polls and that is when Nigerians will realise that they have been called upon in the past, be wary, be careful, beware of a Tinubu presidency. They didn’t hear. Now we are seeing the manifestation of absolute failure and incapacity, inability and lack of experience. Only an inexperienced President, barely three months in an office can begin to think of war”