President Bola Tinubu is in discussions with a group of Nigerian Muslim leaders, led by Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
These Islamic leaders were recently authorized to engage with the coup leaders in Niger Republic on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). They successfully communicated with the head of the junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
President Tinubu, who chairs the ECOWAS’ Authority of Heads of State and Government, is meeting with the Ulammas to receive a briefing on their visit to Niger and the ongoing political situation there.
ECOWAS had previously expressed its disapproval of the military seizure of power in Niger through sanctions and an ultimatum, which included the possibility of military intervention.
The Ulammas, however, are against the idea of armed conflict with the Nigerien military, as proposed by ECOWAS. They believe in seeking mediation first, as guided by their religious faith and the teachings of the Quran.
Further details will be provided later.