- As Tinubu hosts Benin Republic counterpart, condemn any effort to seize power and undermine constitutional authority in Niger Republic
In a significant diplomatic move, a high-powered delegation from Nigeria has arrived in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic to engage with the coup plotters amidst the ongoing political crisis.
Initial reports by Zagazola Media Network said delegation comprises of two former Governors, a top diplomat and military leader.
But sources also confirmed that the delegation includes the immediate former Governor of Katsina State, Senator Aminu Masari and his Sokoto State counterpart, Amini Tambuwal, Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Hassan Abubakar.
The delegation are in Niamey to facilitate dialogue and to seek a peaceful resolution to the coup attempt in Nigeria’s Northern neighbour.
The delegation’s arrival marks a crucial step towards fostering diplomatic efforts and mediating discussions between the involved parties.
Their presence emphasizes Nigeria’s concern over the unfolding events in Niger Republic and the shared commitment to finding a resolution through dialogue.
This is not the first time Nigeria is sending a delegation to an ECOWAS member State following threat to democracy. It intervened in The Gambia after President Yahya Jammeh lost the December 1, 2016 elections and refused to step down.
After then President Muhammadu Buhari led three West African Heads of State to The Gambia to persuade Jammeh to step down without success, Nigeria deployed its air and personnel assets to enforce the result of Gambia’s contested election.
And to show its power, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on January 18, 2017 moved a contingent of 200 men and air assets comprising fighter jets, transport aircraft, light utility helicopter as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to Dakar, Senegal from where they can deploy into Gambia.
A source said “the presence of Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff on the delegation is a subtle message to the Niger Republic coup plotters that Nigeria means business and is ready to enforce democracy along its borders.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Benin Republic counterpart, Patrice Talon, have restated their condemnation of any effort to seize power and undermine constitutional authority in Niger Republic.
Both leaders met on Wednesday in Abuja at the Presidential Villa, following what President Tinubu described as ‘military misbehaviour’ in the neighboring country.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, President Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, reiterated his commitment to working with other ECOWAS leaders to promote stability and peace in the West African region.
He said President Talon would head to Niamey, capital of Niger, to address the situation.
Also speaking, President Talon told journalists that the situation in Niger was a cause for concern for ECOWAS and President Tinubu.
”Nigeria shares borders with Niger and Benin, and we are neighbours to Niger as well. We are taking this matter seriously and responding promptly. I am confident that all necessary measures will be employed to ensure a peaceful resolution in Niger.
”As the President of Nigeria stated, mediation efforts will be strengthened this very evening to bring about a peaceful resolution. Even when dealing with unacceptable actions, our priority is to address them through peaceful means. This remains our primary approach, and we are optimistic,’’ President Talon said.