General Abdourahmane Tchiani, leader of the Republic of Niger’s military junta, revealed over the weekend that the coup that deposed President Mohammad Bazoum was well-planned and carried out to prevent an impending threat that would have harmed not only the Niger Republic but also Nigeria.
Earlie, ECOWAS leaders’ decision to use military force against the coup leaders in Niger Republic this weekend, the Catholic Bishops asked the chairman, President Bola Tinubu, and other West African leaders not to allow military involvement in the nation.
This is despite the fact that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 election, has recommended the Federal Government and ECOWAS to emphasize dialogue over military force in resolving the stalemate with the coupists in Niger Republic.
General Tchiani said that it was distressing for the coup leaders that the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Heads of State and Government leaders did not listen to their side of the story before giving an ultimatum to resign.
When he met with Nigeria’s intervention team in Niamey, which included important Islamic clerics in the nation, the coup leader and the Nigerian delegation agreed to strengthen the option of dialogue in addressing his country’s political issue.
According to Sheik Bala Lau, the commander of the Islamic Ulamma, General Tchiani, who greeted the squad, hailed their assistance.
According to the statement, the military chief said that they are open to pursuing dialogue and peace in order to resolve the situation.
He apologized for not paying attention to the delegation sent by President Bola Tinubu, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, retd, since they were upset over the ECOWAS ultimatum.
Speaking with journalists in Niamey after the meeting, another member of the intervention team and Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the team was well received by General Tchiani and both parties had fruitful discussions.
He said: “We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and press it on him that war is not an option in resolving the political crisis in his country.
A statement by the leader of the Islamic Ulamma, Sheik Bala Lau, stated that General Tchiani, who accorded the team warm reception, welcomed their intervention.
According to the statement, the military leader said their doors are open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.
He apologised for not according to the team sent by President Bola Tinubu, led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, retd, the required attention because they were angry about the ECOWAS ultimatum.
While tracing historical ties between the two nations, he said the Niger Republic and Nigeria are not only neighbours but also brothers and sisters who should resolve issues amicably.
According to the statement, the Islamic Ulammas met with General Tchiani in Niamey for many hours and discussed various problems, including ECOWAS leaders’ desire that former President Bazoum be reinstalled.
According to Bala Lau, National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, who agreed to intercede.
Sheik Lau stated that the team had already informed President Tinubu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, that their view was that the political deadlock in Niger be addressed via discussion.
He, therefore, told General Tchiani that the visit to Niger was to engage in constructive dialogue to encourage him and other military leaders behind the coup to toe the path of peace, instead of war, to resolve the crisis.
Speaking with journalists in Niamey after the meeting, another member of the intervention team and Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the team was well received by General Tchiani and both parties had fruitful discussions.
He said: “We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and press it on him that war is not an option in resolving the matter.
“We believe that war is an ill wind that will not blow any good and that peaceful resolution should prevail.”
Confirming Sheik Lau’s statement, Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, said General Tchiani gave the green light for talks with ECOWAS and was optimistic that the talks would take place in the next few days.
‘’We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue. They will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us.
‘’We hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted,” he said.
