Niger’s military leaders headed by General Abdourahmane Tchiani have disclosed the reason they ignored the delegation led by Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd) in their efforts to restore the toppled government.
Daily trust report that, President Bola Tinubu had sent the high-powered team which included Abubakar and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, to end Niger’s crisis through dialogue.
The delegation, however, came back to Nigeria without getting the attention of the junta.
The intervention team from Nigeria, which includes eminent Islamic scholars, met the coup leaders over the weekend in an effort to ease the political issue while ECOWAS continues to search for long-term solutions.
The junta said that the coup leaders were upset when the delegation headed by Abubakar arrived at the meeting with the Islamic Ulammas, who were represented by Sheikh Bala Lau.
Daily trust report that, This information was revealed in a statement released by the Intervention Team on Sunday and signed by Lau.
The coup leaders were upset that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the story before giving them an ultimatum to resign, according to General Tchiani, who warmly welcomed the clerics.
Tchiani stated that he would allow both parties to consider diplomacy and peace in order to resolve the issue during the lengthy discussion that took place in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
He asserted that the coup was well-intentioned and that it was carried out to thwart an impending threat that would have affected both Nigeria and the Niger Republic.
He also expressed regret for failing to provide the President Tinubu’s staff the proper attention while they were furious about the ECOWAS ultimatum.
President Tinubu, who granted the clerics’ request to intercede, according to Lau, National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, said the clerics were in Niger on his behalf.
Lukundu (
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