We all agree that Jammeh , the (ex) president of Gambia might be losing it! We also agree that stability is needed in Gambia and ECOWAS region. Nigeria is the giant of ECOWAS is also not in doubt. But, cruising to on some nautical speed Gambia with a recently acquired warship (NNS Unity) to oust the recalcitrant Koran carrying president can be likened to using a cannon to kill a mosquito. A move that will diminish the sovereignty of smaller African countries, rendering them impotent and powerless. A move that international diplomacy and political analysts tag as “a show of force and intimidation” . In a move ill advised and also unwarranted, considering the economic situation of the Nigeria. It is said that , this is an invasion that Nigeria must not spearhead. Sending troupes in Gambia can be likened as using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
A lot of issues have been raised over the election in Gambia, first was that the assumed Gambia's internationally-recognised President Adama Barrow has left the swearing-in ceremony at the country's embassy in Dakar,Senegal. The legitimacy of this swearing in is a slight and mockery to African. How can a president be sworn in, in another country?this singular act has positioned Mr. Barrow as a president at large. The legitimacy of his presidency can be questioned in Gambia. The singular act of swearing in Barrow is Senegal has made a mockery of African states and their sovereignty. Currently, Gambia under a 3 month (90 day) state of emergency imposed by President Yahya Jammeh after a legislative vote to that effect.But those in support of this inuaguaration such as the Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria, Geoffery Onyeama, said" that the ceremony could go ahead outside of the country but on Gambian territory." It smacks desperation both in the side of Mr, Barrow, wanting to go into power quickly without showing some elements of restrains and other other side , desperation on the side of Jammeh, for clinging to power over two decade!

As it is always in Africa, might is right. It is on this principle that the ECOWAS and their leader , Nigeria swung into action. Though, some deliberation was made and asylum offered. Sending troupes to oust a president that have declared a state of emergency in his own country can be likened to undermining his “authority” as the head of state, in this case Gambia. The African adage comes to mind, it goes like” the cane used in beating the first wife will also be used in beating the second wife”. ECOWAS region should not used force and fiat. The region isn’t prepared for refugees and as it stands most countries in ECOWAS region do not have the capacity to take in refugees from Gambia, should in case this blows out to a full scale war. This was witnessed in Syria and considering the Gambia similarity with Syria. Gambia is a country that is majority muslim, the muslim groups ( especially the ones is Sahara and Magreb ) might use the opportunity to hijack this. The multiplier effect is better imagined than experienced.

Kid gloves is the word,carrot and stick approach should be the method, brute should be the last resort. Islam is the majority religion of the Gambia, with around 95.3% of the population being Muslims and Jammeh might also key into this concept of “us against the world” and jihadist will cease this opportunity. We all know the resultant effect.

On the side of the ECOWAS henchman, Nigeria, the giant, the financier of the regional group has risen up to the occasion. Trying to ensure that African countries are democratic the way Saudis are ensuring that all Arab countries are democratic. Is democracy the best form of government? A subject or another day. Back to Nigeria’s role in this Gambia quagmire, it has been reported that Nigeria’s president is keen on having Barrow in because he is of the same Fula ethnicity with Buhari. An indication that has made Nigerians not to be happy with the way Nigeria has sent her warship. The question is , is Nigeria engages in this military campaign for the sake of democracy or Fulani hegemony? A brief dossier of Mr. Barrow: He has been reported to be a member of the Fula ethnic group, which the United Democratic Party (UDP) has said is the second largest ethnic group in The Gambia (the largest being the Mandinka). He has also been reported to be Mandinka, based on his father's ethnicity, but more identified with Fulas in social and cultural terms, having had a Mandinka father and a Fula mother.He grew up speaking the Fula language in a village and district that are primarily Fula, and both of his wives are Fula. (Wikipedia)

Nigeria economy is in recession and some say it's in a depression, engaging in an oversea military campaign shouldn’t be among the primary focus of Buhari and APC led administration. The economy should be the main focus. Yes, agreed, Nigeria must partake in a campaign but not on leadership roles. Nigeria can provide logistic and other supports not deploying warship, frigates and aircraft. It cost a lot to have these military toys in far away Gambia. Though, the Nigerian government has come out to say that, the warship isn’t for an offensive but for evacuation of Nigerians in Gambia! According to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Special Assistant to President on Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora Affairs, tweeted that the Nigerian ship that is heading to The Gambia is on standby in case there is a need to evacuate Nigerian nationals.
National Assembly has been slighted by this act of declaration of war in Gambia. The house has been divded and polarized on whether to go or not to go. In the words of Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, opined that the Senate wasn’t told about the intention to deploy war crafts to Gambia officially. He said, “This has to do with war and we are not at war with anybody, but for you to send the Nigerian armed forces outside Nigeria, this Senate must be told.” He continued,
“This has to do with war and we are not at war with anybody, but for you to send the Nigerian armed forces outside Nigeria, this Senate must be told.” Ekweremadu said.

Another Senator, Chukwuka Utazi (PDP-Enugu), who raised a point of order, said that President Buhari violated the constitution by deploying troops to Gambia without the approval of the National Assembly. Quoting “Section 4 notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, a President shall not declare a state of war between the Federation and another country except with the sanction of a resolution of both Houses of the National Assembly sitting in a joint session.

“Except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria” he concluded.

https://etimesafrica./2017/01/20/gambia-invasion-for-democracy-fula-tribe-or-for-the-sake-of-ego/