Coup: I’m Under Pressure From Some Hawkish Individuals To Deploy Force In Niger – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu, who serves as the chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, emphasized that he is at the forefront of a peaceful resolution of the crisis, even in the midst of more hawkish individuals urging swifter intervention in Niger Republic. 

Tinubu urged a delegation of Islamic scholars (Ulamas), who were previously involved in discussions to help facilitate the restoration of constitutional democracy in the Niger Republic, to move forward more quickly in their ongoing negotiations with the military junta.

The Ulamas, who were welcomed into the meeting by Sheikh Bala Lau, gave the President a thorough report on Thursday at the State House in Abuja.

Following the Ulamas’ most recent two trips to the Niger Republic, a briefing was held.

The President had been informed by the Islamic leaders that the military junta was open to a deeper level of communication with ECOWAS as more steps were being taken to avert violent conflict and military council officials in Niger were more fully accepting of the ECOWAS position.

In his response to the delegation of Ulamas, President Tinubu emphasised that he is leading the charge for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, even in the face of more hawkish individuals calling for more immediate intervention. This was done against the backdrop of ethnic rumours spread by domestic political figures both inside and outside of the country.

According to him, “I am managing a very serious situation. If you take ECOWAS aside, other people will react, those who are outside of our control. I am the one holding those sides back. I am the one holding back ECOWAS.”

Addressing the urgency of the situation, the president added: ”Even as at this morning, I have been inundated with phone calls on the readiness of countries with their military force and contributions. However, I told them to wait. I am meeting with the Ulamas and I will get back to you.”

Tinubu informed the Islamic delegation that the military junta needed to answer for endangering the safety of the Niger Republic’s whole populace.