By Ahmed AHMED
An Elderstatesman and former Senator representing Bauchi South, Salisu Matori has said that Nigeria and Niger shared common interest,just as he cautioned against foreign influence over the political impasse in Niger republic.
He therefore called on ECOWAS leaders to be considerate in resolving the impasse and shun foreign influence that would truncate the peace process.
Matori who is also the Northeast Vice-Chairman of Senators Forum said this while talking with Journalists on Saturday in Bauchi.
He noted that the coup in Niger has been allowed to degenerate to this extent, adding that it requires careful handling.
“There is always foreign influence in everything we do; there’s nothing anybody can do to detach from foreign influence in a number of decisions
But what is important to a nation like ours is to always look both internally and externally to see what is good for Nigeria and Nigeriens.
“They are here with us, they are in Defense College, in Jaji and all the places.
According to him, let us view the issue as a family; Let’s look at it even beyond husband and wife as sometimes they have different misunderstandings;
let us resolve the issue in the name of God and in the name of posterity and the children yet unborn,” he said.
Senator Matori said the current leader of the ECOWAS, Bola Tinubu, is vast in diplomacy and negotiation, hence the need for him to explore all available diplomatic means to amicably bring the matter to a peaceful and logical ending.
“There is still a window, and there are several windows through which the issue could be resolved.”
“Every country is now trying to put its house in order. People can sweat talks but the foreign nations want to keep on pushing because they want the war simply to sell whatever they want to sell,” he added.