In a recent development, Daniel Bwala, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has absolved President Bola Tinubu of any responsibility for the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In his statement, Bwala wrote, “The withdrawal of the three West African nations from @ecowas_cedeao ECOWAS has nothing to do with @officialABAT President Tinubu’s leadership or lack thereof as it is peddled by naysayers. It has everything to do with the dynamics of proxy trade conflicts between @GovernmentRF Russia/China and NATO. Nigeria is not at war with both blocs, so we are good, and President Tinubu would find a path for lasting peace in ECOWAS. Let’s focus on our nation, and together as a people, we would find solutions to our age-long problems.
Bwala contends that the exit of these West African nations from ECOWAS is intricately tied to the complex dynamics of proxy trade conflicts involving Russia/China and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). This comes in the wake of the military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger jointly declaring their withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing it as a “sovereign decision” to be executed “without delay.”
Contrary to speculations linking President Tinubu’s leadership to this development, Bwala, in a statement posted on his social media handle, emphasized that Nigerians should shift their focus from such unfounded claims. He clarified that the withdrawal is unrelated to President Tinubu’s leadership or any perceived lack thereof, as propagated by detractors.
Bwala further highlighted the importance of concentrating on national issues, emphasizing that Nigeria is not engaged in hostilities with either bloc (Russia/China or NATO). He expressed optimism that President Tinubu would navigate a path toward lasting peace within ECOWAS.
