Niger military leader apologises to Tinubu, welcomes dialogue

Niger military leader apologises to Tinubu, welcomes dialogue

Leader of the Niger junta, Abdourahmane Tchiani, has apologised to President Bola Tinubu for not according the Abdulsalami Abubakar-led team sent to meet with him a proper reception and regard.

He also said the military is ready to explore dialogue in resolving the political crisis in their country.

Tchiani tendered his apology on Saturday during a meeting with Nigeria’s intervention team comprising Islamic scholars.

The Islamic scholars were approved for the meeting by President Tinubu.

The team led by Bala Lau, national chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, met with Tchiani for several hours in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

According to a statement signed by Lau on Sunday, the coup leader and Islamic scholars deliberated on several issues including the demand by ECOWAS leaders that former President Bazoum be reinstated.

Lau said the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.

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.

Responding, Tchiani said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.

He added that it was painful that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) did not hear the junta’s side of the matter before issuing an ultimatum.

He said the coup was well intended, as it was meant to starve off an imminent threat that would have affected not only Niger Republic but also Nigeria.

Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Niger’s prime minister, was appointed by the junta to speak to reporters.

Responding to a question on if the leader was ready for dialogue, he was quoted as saying, “Yes, for sure. That was exactly what the leader of our country told them, he did not say he was not open to dialogue”.

He also expressed optimism that talks with ECOWAS would take place in the next few days.

‘’We have agreed and the leader of our country has given the green light for dialogue.

“They will now go back and inform the Nigerian President what they have heard from us…. we hope in the coming days, they (ECOWAS) will come here to meet us to discuss how the sanctions imposed against us will be lifted,” he said.

Niger military leader apologises to Tinubu, welcomes dialogue