Leader of the military junta in Niger Republic, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, has revealed that their takeover of the civilian government in his country has saved Nigeria from an imminent disaster.
This revelation came after General Tchiani had a closed-door meeting with Nigerian religious leaders in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
Sheikh Bala Lau, who is the National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, said the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.
Sheik Lau said the team had earlier told President Tinubu who is also the Chairman of Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government that their position is that the political impasse in Niger be resolved through dialogue. 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, General Tchiani, who accorded the team warm reception welcomed their intervention. He said their doors were open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.
General Tchiani, however, said it was painful to the coup leaders that the ECOWAS leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing an ultimatum to them to quit office. He claimed the coup was well intended, stating that they struck to stave-off an imminent threat that would have affected not only Niger Republic but also Nigeria.
He also apologised for not according the team sent by President Tinubu led by former Head of State, General AbdulSalami Abubakar (rtd) the required attention because they were angry about the ECOWAS ultimatum.
While tracing the historical ties between the two nations, he said Niger Republic and Nigeria were not only neighbours but brothers and sisters who should resolve issues amicably.
Speaking with newsmen in Niamey after the meeting, another member of the intervention team and Chief Missioner of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad AbdulRahman, said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the team was well received by General Tchiani and both parties had fruitful discussions.
The team comprised scholars from various Islamic sects in the country.
