In a move to tackle the ongoing political dilemma, Bola Tinubu, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and Nigerian President, has assigned a delegation to Niger Republic with the task of meeting a swift resolution.
The delegation’s mandate is in line with the resolutions agreed upon during the extraordinary ECOWAS summit convened in Abuja last weekend.
Tinubu was quoted as saying, ‘We don’t want to hold brief for anybody. Our concern is democracy and the peace of the region.’
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, released a statement detailing that the delegation, headed by former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), embarked on its journey to Niamey on Thursday following a thorough briefing by President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
Accompanying the former Nigerian Head of State in the delegation are the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Omar Alieu Touray.
The statement further revealed that the President has organised a separate delegation, headed by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, to hold talks with the leaders of Libya and Algeria, addressing the prevailing crisis in Niger.
During the briefing, President Tinubu urged both delegations to engage all relevant stakeholders assertively, aiming to find a definitive and mutually agreeable resolution to the situation in Niger.
He emphasised that the primary goal should be centered around promoting African peace and development, avoiding the inclination to adopt the geopolitical positions of other nations.
Tinubu was cited saying, ‘We don’t want to hold brief for anybody. Our concern is democracy and the peace of the region.’
General Abubakar, speaking after the meeting, disclosed that the delegation’s primary focus is to personally meet with the coup leaders in Niger and deliver the specific demands as stipulated by the ECOWAS leadership.
In a shared sentiment, the leaders of both missions expressed optimism, voicing their belief in a positive outcome from their respective assignments.