El-Rufai to Tinubu-led ECOWAS: Any war against Niger is war against people in Northern Nigeria

Immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against launching an attack on Niger Republic, saying that will be akin to attacking people of Northern Nigeria.

In his typical fashion of using lyrics of songs to make his point since his name was dropped from the list of confirmed ministers, El-Rufai, invoked the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’, to drive home his point, saying people in the Northern side of Nigeria are not different from those in Niger.

He tweeted: “TUESDAY THOUGHT: As ECOWAS beats the drums of war, I recall the 1970s rock classic by Dire Straits – ‘Brothers in Arms’, because a war within our subregion is a war between brothers. Indeed, the people of Niger Republic are one and the same with those living in Northern Nigeria. Let us bend over backwards to avoid this civil war between brothers.

“And so for this bright Tuesday, please enjoy this classic and reflect on the equally timeless lyrics.

“Music is something to enjoy, but being so overwhelmed with public affairs in the last 10 years, I have lost valuable pleasurable moments. Time to catch up on lost time. Enjoy!! Life is too short not too!! – @ elrufai.”

The lyrics cited by El-Rufai ‘Brothers in Arms’ reads:

“These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Someday you’ll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you’ll no longer burn to be
Brothers in arms

“Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I’ve witnessed your suffering
As the battle raged high
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

“There’s so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones
Now the sun’s gone to hell and
The moon’s riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it’s written in the starlight
And every line in your palm
We’re fools to make war
On our brothers in arms.”