Nigerian Islamic clerics meet General Tchiani, Niger coup leaders agree to talk

On Saturday, prominent Nigerian Islamic clerics met with Niger coup leaders in Niamey and agreed to discuss diplomacy rather than military action to resolve the political deadlock.

The Islamic clerics, led by JIBWIS national chairman Sheik Bala Lau, met with Niger strongman General Abdourahmane Tchiani for three hours in Niamey.

Mr. Lau stated that President Bola Tinubu authorized the clergy to meddle in Niger.

According to him, they counseled the coup leader to negotiate and discussed all concerns, including ECOWAS leaders’ demand to reinstate former President Bazoum.

Mr. Lau said the team had told Mr. Tinubu, head of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, that dialogue would overcome the Niger political deadlock.

He told Mr. Tchiani that the travel to Niger was to convince him and other military officials behind the coup to resolve the problem via peace rather than war.

Mr. Tchiani welcomed their intervention, adding they were open to dialogue and peace to resolve the issue.

Mr. Tchiani claimed the coup leaders were angry that ECOWAS leaders didn’t hear their side before issuing a resignation ultimatum.

He said the coup was well-planned to stop a threat to Niger Republic and Nigeria.

He also apologised for not allowing Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sultan Saad Abubakar II to enter the nation to avoid attack by angry Nigerians protesting power cuts.

He said Niger Republic and Nigeria were brothers and sisters who should address conflicts peacefully, citing their historical links.

After the meeting, Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, another intervention team member and Chief Missioner of the Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, told journalists in Niamey that General Tchiani welcomed the team and had productive discussions.

We’ll go home and tell President Tinubu what we discussed and insist that war is not an option.

“We believe that war is an ill wind that will not blow any good and that peaceful resolution should prevail.”

The team included scholars from several Islamic groups throughout the country.

Sheik Kabiru Gombe, JIBWIS secretary; Sheik Yakubu Musa Hassan Katsina, director Daawah; Sheik Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, representation; and Dr. Khalid Aliya, Jama’atul Nasril Islam secretary general.

Others were Qadiriya leader Sheikh Karibullah Nasiru Kabara, Sheik Ahmad Abdurahman, Professor Salisu Shehu, deputy secretary-general of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Sheik Nasiru Abdul Muhayuid, director Admin, JIBWIS Jos, Professor Mansur Sokoto, and NNPCL GMD Mele Kyari.