Tinubu mandates Muslim scholars to mediate in Niger Crisis
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday accepted the offer of Muslim clerics to mediate in the Niger Republic leadership crisis.
The Nigerian Muslim leaders, led by Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Bala Lau, met with the President on Wednesday in Abuja.
The leaders were at the State House to consult with the President on the situation in Republic of Niger.
The president had on Tuesday declared that all options were open for amicable resolution of the political crisis in Niger.
Speaking to newsmen, Sheikh Bala Lau, said the president has accepted their offer to mediate.
“The delegation of Ulamah here in Nigeria, met with Mr President on the issue of Niger Republic. We want to find a lasting solution, we want peace and harmony to reign not only in Nigeria, but in the sub-Sahara region and globally.
“So, the whole Ulamah advised Mr President, that we want peace and reconciliation.
“Always if there is anything that happens between you and your neighbour, the Holy Qur’an commands you to reconcile. So, we want reconciliation.
“That’s why we’re here and our able leader and President accepted the offer that he wants us to intervene and to talk to our brothers over there in Niger Republic, the scholars as well, on how we can come together and bring about lasting solution to this problem,’’ Lau explained.
Similarly, Sheikh Abdurrahaman Ahmed, confirmed that the president accepted their offer to mediate in the Niger imbroglio, adding that the mediation will start as soon as possible.
Ahmed said that Tinubu also accepted that they should seek for concession from the military junta in Niger in order to find a common ground between it and ECOWAS.
“Other than that, the president deplored coup d’état in the Sahel region, and as a democrat himself, said he will do everything to ensure that there is democracy, justice, freedom and peace in the sub-region.
“We as Ulamah are also committed to peace and justice, and the president will be enabling the Ulamah to mediate as it is appropriate.
“So that’s why we’re here, and it is a mission accomplished.
“Because the President responded positively and in turn he has given us an assignment to also mediate to ensure reconciliation between the warring factions in Niger Republic.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on July 26, soldiers from Niger’s presidential guard deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and closed the country’s borders.
The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government responded to the coup by giving the junta a deadline to handover to Bazoum.
The regional bloc further announced financial sanctions on entities and groups associated with the junta.
