President Bola Tinubu has directed the delegation of Muslim clerics (Ulamas) mediating in the Niger Republic crisis to return to the junta and obtain a tentative commitment.
After a closed-door meeting with the President, Ustaz Abdullahi Bala-Lau, leader of the delegation said Tinubu was desirous of avoiding the use of force to resolve the crisis and restore constitutional order to Niger (Republic).
According to him, President Tinubu has accepted the delegation’s suggestions to avoid the use of force in settling disputes of any kind, especially when it concerns neighbours and long time allies.
“The President was receptive of our suggestions about avoiding the use of force by all means.
“Just as we have spoken to the leaders in Niger Republic and they accepted to avoid violence, the President also accepted it.
“That is why he is sending us back to Niger to continue with the dialogue about restoring constitutional order in the country.
“He also directed us to remind the military leaders that there is a pending ECOWAS decision about the takeover.”
He explained that the intervention of the Ulamas had paved the way for the junta to accept the ECOWAS delegation of retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Bala-Lau said that the Ulamas would return to Niger Republic to continue the dialogue with the understand that war must be the last option put on the table.
Similarly, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz said that the meeting of the President with the Ulamas was a sign of openness to dialogue on the part of ECOWAS.
“As you know, the ECOWAS leaders were open to all options but still they are continuing with dialogue aggressively.
“This is a sign that military action will be the last option; the Ulamas involvement is a way forward.
“Definitely, when you are engaged in a dialogue, it is usually back and forth; all sides must be given the opportunity to express themselves fully.
“Dialogue and diplomatic trading is not a one-off thing and it needs to be explored to the fullest.
“That is what the President is trying to do in this case,” Abdulaziz said.
At the 2nd Extraordinary Summit on the sociopolitical situation in the West African country on Aug. 10 in Abuja, President Tinubu reiterated the intention of ECOWAS to defend democracy and protect the people of Niger Republic.
“We have reaffirmed our commitment to the people of Niger and to the progress of our entire ECOWAS Community; we will continue with that.
“From the Communiqué of this extraordinary summit, no option is taken off the table, including the use of force as the last resort.
“If we don’t do it, no one else will do it for us.
“We remain steadfast in supporting Niger in the journey toward peace and democratic stability.
“The road ahead will undoubtedly have challenges but I firmly believe that, with our collective resolve, we can navigate these obstacles and chart a path toward peace and prosperity for Nigeriens and citizens of ECOWAS,” President Tinubu said.
