On Saturday in Niamey, prominent Nigerian Islamic clerics met with Niger coup leaders and agreed to discuss diplomacy rather than military action to resolve the political crisis.
In Niamey, the Islamic clerics, led by JIBWIS national chairman Sheik Bala Lau, met with Niger strongman General Abdourahmane Tchiani for three hours.
Mr. Lau claimed the clerics were in Niger on President Bola Tinubu’s invitation to intercede.
He said they advised the coup leader to talk and discussed all matters, including ECOWAS leaders’ desire to reinstate former President Bazoum.
Mr Lau said the team had told Mr Tinubu, head of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, that dialogue is the best way to address the Niger political crisis.
Thus, Mr. Tchiani was visited to Niger to convince him and other military officials behind the coup to resolve the problem via diplomacy rather than war.
Tchiani welcomed their assistance, adding they were willing to diplomacy and peace to resolve the situation.
The coup leaders were angry that ECOWAS leaders didn’t hear their side before giving an ultimatum to resign, Mr. Tchiani added.
He stated the coup was well-intentioned, starving off a threat to Niger Republic and Nigeria.
He apologised for not allowing Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sultan Saad Abubakar II to enter the nation to avert violence by angry Nigerians protesting power cuts.
While tracing their historical ties, he said Niger Republic and Nigeria were brothers and sisters who should address conflicts peacefully.
Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, another intervention team member and Chief Missioner of the Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, told journalists in Niamey that General Tchiani welcomed the team and had productive discussions.
“We will return home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and urge him not to go to war.
“We believe that war is an ill wind that will not blow good and that peaceful resolution should prevail.”
The panel included scholars from Islamic groups across.
They included JIBWIS secretary Sheik Kabiru Gombe, director Daawah Sheik Yakubu Musa Hassan Katsina, representative Sheik Ibrahim Bauchi, and Jama’atul Nasril Islam secretary general Dr. Khalid Aliya.
Sheikh Karibullah Nasiru Kabara, Qadiriya group leader; Sheik Ahmad Abdurahman; Professor Salisu Shehu, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs deputy secretary-general; Sheik Nasiru Abdul Muhayuid, JIBWIS Jos director Admin; Professor Mansur Sokoto; and NNPCL GMD Mele Kyari were others.
