On Friday night, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the RCCG, addressed the issues of conflicts and difficulties afflicting Nigeria. During the ongoing 2023 convention of the Church at the Redemption City of God in Mowe, Ogun State, Pastor Adeboye expressed that Nigeria still requires an abundance of prayers for its citizens to experience peace. Drawing from his personal encounter with war, Pastor Adeboye asserted, “Nigeria still necessitates fervent prayers… If I were given the choice between war and peace, I would unquestionably choose peace.” Pastor Adeboye acknowledged that although he himself was not in the military, he had once witnessed the horrors of war on the battlefield. He emphasized that Nigeria currently faces numerous challenges, including the herders’ crisis, banditry, kidnapping, and the fight against hunger.
He proclaimed, “Undoubtedly, we yearn for an absence of further conflicts. Our focus should be on triumphing over the battles we are presently combating, and we must avoid engaging in new ones. Therefore, those of you who advocate for peace in every aspect, stand and beseech God.” In a separate development, Adamu Garba, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, contended that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) lacks the authority to directly declare war. He maintained that prior to any declaration of war, approval must be obtained from the National Assembly, National Security Council, and the Council of State.
Garba further asserted that if ECOWAS were to declare war against Niger Republic, it would be a grave miscalculation for Africa. He clarified that ECOWAS putting the military on standby does not necessarily signify a declaration of war; rather, it is an ambiguous action. According to him, “If ECOWAS were to declare war against Niger in the name of democracy, it would be the most significant misjudgment for Africa in the 21st century. This contradicts the earlier statement from the state house advocating for diplomacy rather than war in addressing the issue of Niger’s coup.
The process of declaring war involves the approval of the National Assembly, National Security Council, and the Council of State. Additionally, the President must address the nation to justify the need for war. ECOWAS cannot directly declare war. At times, the media tends to speculate, and we should await further developments. The statement from ECOWAS is vague and lacks clarity. Activating the military as a standby force does not imply initiating a war, from my perspective. Let us not be misled by the media; instead, let us observe how events unfold.”
