Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, the deposed14th Emir of Kano, on Wednesday night, visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Sanusi arrived the Villa at about 8:25pm immediately after a high delegation of the Nigeria Islamic Ulama met with President Tinubu.
The former Emir just returned from Niger Republic where he had a meeting with the military junta that seized power from the democratically elected President Muhamad Bazoum.
Sanusi later clarified that he met the junta leadership on his personal initiative after clearance and support from the federal government.
According to him: “I came to brief him (President Tinubu) on the details of my discussions with leaders of Niger.
“We’ll continue to do our best to bring the two parties together to improve understanding. This is the time public diplomacy, it’s not a matter that we leave to governments, all Nigerians, all Nigeriens need to be involved to find a solution that works for Africa, a solution that works for Niger that works for Nigeria and a solution that works for humanity.”
Asked to respond to the reports that he took the initiative by himself and not government’s delegation, he said: “I was not sent by the government. Government officials were aware I was going. But it was my personal initiative, using my personal contacts to get there. And I will continue to do my best. It is my duty as a leader to do that.”
Emir Sanusi had began dialogue with the coup leaders in Niger Republic on a peaceful resolution of the crisis arising from the July 26, 2023 coup.
The ‘quite diplomacy’ of the former Emir came to public view when on Wednesday footage of Sanusi and the coup leaders went into circulation.
Sanusi, who is the Khalifa of the Tijjaniya Islamic sect which has a large following in Niger Republic, met the Junta leaders in company of the Sultan of Damagaran. Damagaran is the third largest city in Niger.
Sources confirmed that Sanusi met with the junta to open the door for negotiation, stating: “His Highness took the trip in his personal capacity but with the knowledge of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his concerns about the impasse and the likely consequences it is already having on Nigeria/Niger relations and the citizens of the two countries.”
The meeting, which comes a day before an emergency meeting of ECOWAS leaders in Abuja.