A delegation of Islamic clerics who met with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday at the Aso Rock Villa has shared details of their discussion and the President’s directive about the political situation in Niger Republic.
The clerics disclosed President Tinubu appreciated their efforts so far and gave a listening ear to their feedback.
Recall that the Islamic leaders, led by Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, were at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to brief the President on the outcome of their discussion with the head of the military junta in Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
The Ulamas had After their meeting with General Tchiani in Niger, they visited the Presidential Villa on Thursday to brief President Tinubu on the outcome of their visit over the political situation in the country. of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu has implored a delegation of Islamic scholars (Ulamas), who were previously engaged in discussions to facilitate the restoration of constitutional democratic governance in Niger Republic, to expedite progress in their ongoing dialogue with the military junta.
The President received a comprehensive briefing on Thursday at the State House in Abuja, from the Ulamas, who were led into the meeting by Sheikh Bala Lau. The briefing followed the Ulamas’ two most recent visits to Niger Republic.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the president’s Media and Publicity Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale.
The Islamic leaders had informed the President that the military junta was open to deepening dialogue with ECOWAS as more steps are being taken to forestall armed conflict with a more detailed acceptance of the ECOWAS position by Niger military council officials.
Responding to the delegation of Ulamas, against the backdrop of ethnic rumors peddled by domestic political figures inside and outside of the country, President Tinubu emphasized that he is at the forefront of a peaceful resolution of the crisis, even in the midst of more hawkish individuals urging swifter intervention.
“I am managing a very serious situation. If you take ECOWAS aside, other people will react, those who are outside of our control. I am the one holding those sides back. I am the one holding back ECOWAS,” he disclosed.
Addressing the urgency of the situation, the president added: ”Even as at this morning, I have been inundated with phone calls on the readiness of countries with their military force and contributions. However, I told them to wait. I am meeting with the Ulamas and I will get back to you.”
President Tinubu told the Islamic delegation that the military junta must be held accountable for putting the entire people of Niger Republic in jeopardy.
”They cannot use the gun given to them to protect the sovereignty of the country and turn it against the people of the country,” he said.
President Tinubu pledged that ECOWAS will remain steadfast in its commitment to diplomatically engage with all stakeholders and seek a peaceful resolution to the impasse in Niger Republic.
“I will draw a line in the sand and ask you to make arrangements to go back to Niger Republic,” he stated.
On the request by the Islamic scholars for the Federal Government to monitor the distribution of palliatives to States, the President promised that more palliatives are coming for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.
He also appealed to State governments to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution and management of these palliatives.
“The people reside in the States. Even if I set up a panel, I will have to go through the governors and the local governments. We will continue to talk to the governors. Nigerians must hold them accountable,” he continued.
“It’s unheard of that in a constitutional democracy, a president will sit here and give orders to States. I can only appeal to them to implement. The people reside in the states, and if the Governor is not doing well, the people must vote them out,” he concluded.
The clerics had previously voiced their opposition to war and recommended dialogue in resolving the situation in Niger Republic.
Speaking with newsmen after briefing President Tinubu, the Islamic clerics revealed they maintained their initial position of resolving the political crisis amicably without the use of military might.
Sheikh Bauchi said the Nigerian President also approved their return to Niger Republic for another round of dialogue with the military junta.
“We have just met with President Bola Tinubu and told him all what went on there in Niger.
“He appreciated (our efforts) and he still gave us the mandate that we should continue to make this dialogue and discuss with the junta over there, because they gave us listening ears and we are sure, through peaceful discussions, we’ll be able to achieve what we want.
“We are still going back there to ensure that through peaceful and amicable ways, as spiritual leaders, we’ll be able to do and contribute what we can be able to do.
“What we want? We don’t want war, we want peace to reign in our region. So may Allah continue to bless the President for giving us this opportunity,” he said.
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