By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja and Alfred Babs, ilorin

Nigeria’s Intervention Team comprising prominent Islamic scholars in the country at the weekend met with the coup leaders in Niger Republic, where both parties agreed to intensify the option of dialogue in resolving the political crisis in that country.

The Islamic Ulammas led by Sheik Bala Lau, in a statement on Sunday, from Nigeria, said they met with General Abdourahmane Tchiani for several hours in Niger’s capital Niamey, during which they deliberated on all the issues including the demand by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders that former President Bazoum be reinstated.

Sheikh Lau, who is the National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, said the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.

Tinubu, being the ECOWAS leader, had last Wednesday, given the Islamic Clerics the approval to intervene with their fellow partners in Niger to resolve the political impasse with dialogue.

The Sheik said the team had earlier told President Tinubu who is also the Chairman of Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government that their position was that the political impasse in Niger be resolved through dialogue.

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. 

In his response, Lau disclosed that General Tchiani who accorded the team warm reception welcomed their intervention.

He said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.

General Tchiani, however, said it was painful to the coup leaders that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing ultimatum to them to quit office.

He claimed the coup was well intended, stating that they struck to starve off an imminent threat that would have affected not only Niger Republic but also Nigeria.

He also apologised for not according the team sent by President Tinubu led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) the required attention because they were angry about the ECOWAS ultimatum.

While tracing the historical ties between the two nations, he said Niger Republic and Nigeria were not only neighbours but brothers and sisters who should resolve issues amicably.

In a chat with journalists in Niamey after the meeting, another member of the intervention team and Chief Missioner of Ansarudeen 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. 

“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,”he stated.

The team comprised scholars from various Islamic sects in the country. 

Among them were Sheik Kabiru Gombe-Secretary,

Jamatul izalatul bida waikamatul sunnah,

Sheik Yakubu Musa Hassan Katsina-Director Daawah, JIBWIS, Sheik Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi- Rep Sheik Ibrahim Bauchi and Dr Khalid Aliya- Secretary General, Jammatul Nasril Islam.

Others included Sheik Karibullah Nasiru Kabara- Leader Khadriya group Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdurahman, Professor Salisu Sheri- Deputy Secretary-General Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sheik Nasiru Abdul Muhayuid- Director Admin, JIBWIS Jos, Professor Mansur Sokoto, and Alhaji

Mele Kyari.

CSO, PeacePro Backs Dialogue Between ECOWAS and Nigerien military

A Civil Society organization, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro has expressed delight at the news of proposed dialogue between leadership of ECOWAS and the military authorities in Niger Republic.

Executive Director of PeacePro, Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat in a statement in Ilorin, on Sunday said he was “excited over the latest development in Niger Republic, which has made dialogue a tool for resolution and I commend the Islamic Ulama’s who made this possible”.

Recall that the leader of military junta in Niger Republic, General Tchiani had said that their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter, while hosting Islamic leader from Nigeria.

General Tchiani, who expressed sadness over the approach of ECOWAS said that it was painful to the coup leaders that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing ultimatum to them to quit office.

He also apologised for not according the team sent by President Tinubu led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) the required attention because they were angry about the ECOWAS ultimatum.

Hamzat, who is also a former ambassador to the International Human Rights Commission explained that, the past miscommunication should be left in the past and the new opportunity for peaceful resolution should be warmly embraced.

He also commended the Islamic Ulama, who facilitated the possibility of this amicable resolution to the crisis.

He urged ECOWAS to treat Nigerien military authorities with respect and resolve the crisis, using ECOWAS conflict resolution mechanism.