President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that all diplomatic options will be exhausted with the military junta in Niger Republic before any military intervention is considered.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Presidential spokesman in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the President also reiterated the non-acceptance of forceful removal of a democratic government.
President Tinubu said this when he received the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“I must thank you for your several visits to Niger Republic, Your Eminence, but you will still have to go back.
“My fear has been confirmed in Gabon that copy cats will start doing the same thing until it is stopped.
“We are neighbours with Niger Republic and what has joined Nigerians together with their great people cannot be broken; nobody is interested in a war.
“We have seen the devastation in Ukraine and Sudan but if we don’t wield the big stick, we will all suffer the consequences together.”
President Tinubu noted that Nigeria, under Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, instituted a nine-month transition programme in 1998 that led the country into a new era of democratic governance.
He said such action could be replicated in Niger Republic if the military authorities were sincere.
“Your Eminence, please don’t get tired, you will still go back there; the soldiers’ action is unacceptable.
“The earlier they make positive adjustments, the quicker we will dial back the sanctions to alleviate the sufferings we are seeing in Niger.”
On the hardship faced by many Nigerians post-fuel subsidy removal, the President gave assurance that on-going reforms would reposition the economy and benefit the majority of the population in terms of opportunities, infrastructure, healthcare and education.
“Nigeria is headed for a promise; our diversity will turn into prosperity not adversity.
“We will build a country that our children will be proud of.”
He also told the delegation that the Federal Government was collaborating with State Governments for the provision of land for pan-national animal husbandry and agro-allied production and processing facilities for mass export, job creation and revenue generation.
“If Nigeria is still looking for vaccines for basic health issues; if infant and maternal mortality is rampant, then we should examine ourselves.
“I will commit to consulting with other leaders, like the NSCIA and we will meet the needs of our people,” President Tinubu said.
For his part, Vice-President Kashim Shettima said that the President had budgeted N50billion to support the on-going rebuilding of lives and property in the North-West and North-East.
“This gesture, with a new focus on dialogue to address security challenges, will complement the kinetic efforts,” Shettima said.
The Sultan of Sokoto, who pledged “one hundred per cent loyalty” to the President, affirmed that a leader could only attain a position by the will of God and not of man.
The Sultan also assured the President that the NSCIA would be available to advise and support the President to realise his dream for the country.
“God will hold all leaders to account in justice and fairness.”
The Sultan suggested that the distribution of palliatives across the country should be monitored and augmented, where it fails to reach some of the people who remained in dire need.
“I honestly believe we will come out of the challenges stronger,” the Sultan said.
