“On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu was briefed by the Council of Ulammas, a group of religious leaders and scholars who have been in talks with Niger Republic’s military junta led by Abdourahmane Tchiani.
Although the specifics of their meeting with the President were not immediately available when this story was filed, sources from BusinessDay close to the group revealed that they have been directed to continue their negotiations with the military junta.
Heading the team of Ulammas is Bala Lau, also the National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, who had led the clerics to Niger the previous week to engage with the military government on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
Tchiani, a General in the Niger Military and former Commander of the country’s elite Guards Brigade, who spearheaded the July 26 coup, has remained unyielding against the demands by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to reinstate the democratically elected government of Mohammed Bazoum.
In his capacity as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Tinubu urged the scholars involved in discussions to expedite the progress in their ongoing dialogue with the military junta to help reestablish constitutional democratic governance in Niger Republic.
According to Presidential Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu received a thorough briefing from the Ulamas, led into the meeting by Sheikh Bala Lau.”
The briefing followed the Ulamas’ two most recent visits to Niger Republic.
The Islamic leaders had conveyed to the President that the military junta was inclined towards furthering discussions with ECOWAS, as additional measures were being taken to prevent armed conflict. There was a more detailed acknowledgment of the ECOWAS stance by officials from Niger’s military council.
In response to the delegation of Ulamas, amidst ethnic rumors propagated by domestic political figures both within and outside the country, President Tinubu stressed that he is at the forefront of peacefully resolving the crisis, even as some more aggressive individuals advocate for quicker intervention. He disclosed, “I am managing a very serious situation. If we sideline ECOWAS, other factions will react – those beyond our control. I’m the one restraining those aspects. I’m holding back both ECOWAS and the others.”
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, he further added, “Even today, I’ve been receiving numerous calls from countries ready to deploy military forces and aid. However, I’ve advised them to wait. I’m in discussion with the Ulamas, and I will provide you with an update.”
Addressing the Islamic delegation, President Tinubu asserted that the military junta must be accountable for endangering the entire population of Niger Republic. He stated firmly, “They can’t use the weapons entrusted to them for safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty to instead target the people.”
Assuring that ECOWAS remains steadfast in its commitment to diplomatically engage all stakeholders and seek a peaceful resolution to the deadlock in Niger Republic, he declared, “I will establish a clear boundary and request that you prepare to return to Niger Republic.”
Regarding the Islamic scholars’ request for the Federal Government to oversee the distribution of relief to states, the President assured that more assistance will be provided for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. He also appealed to state governments to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation and management of these resources.
He affirmed, “The citizens reside within the states. Even if I institute a committee, I’ll have to collaborate with the governors and local governments. We will continue our dialogues with the governors. Nigerians must hold them responsible. It’s unprecedented for a president in a constitutional democracy to issue directives to states. I can only urge them to implement. The citizens are within the states, and if a Governor isn’t performing well, the citizens must vote for change.”
