In a significant development, prominent Nigerian Islamic scholars held a crucial meeting with the leaders of the recent coup in Niger on Saturday. The rendezvous took place in the capital city of Niamey, and the scholars and coup leaders jointly committed to prioritizing dialogue over military action as the means to untangle the political deadlock.

The delegation of Islamic clerics, led by the esteemed national chairman of Jamatul Izalatul Bid’a Waikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheik Bala Lau, engaged in a three-hour discussion with the leader of the Niger coup, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, within Niamey. It is noteworthy that these clerics were acting as emissaries of President Bola Tinubu, who had graciously accepted their offer of mediation.

Sheik Bala Lau conveyed in an official statement that their counsel revolved around advocating for dialogue, encompassing all pertinent issues, including the demand by the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) leaders for the reinstatement of former President Bazoum. Prior to this meeting, the scholars had already conveyed their stance to President Tinubu, who also holds the position of the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. Their unified stance rested on advocating for the resolution of Niger’s political standoff through peaceful dialogue.

Consequently, Sheik Bala Lau expounded that the purpose of their visit to Niger was to foster constructive dialogue, aiming to encourage General Tchiani and the military figures underpinning the coup to opt for peaceful resolution rather than confrontation to resolve the crisis.

In a response marked by openness and receptiveness, General Tchiani warmly embraced the scholars’ intervention, expressing the willingness to explore diplomatic avenues for resolving the impasse. The coup leader, however, underscored the disheartenment felt by the coup’s orchestrators due to the lack of an opportunity to present their perspective before the ECOWAS leaders issued an ultimatum for their resignation. Tchiani contended that the coup had been prompted by genuine concerns, aiming to avert an imminent threat that could have impacted not just Niger but also neighboring Nigeria.

Moreover, General Tchiani expressed regret for the decision to deny entry to former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sultan Saad Abubakar II, citing concerns about their safety amid public unrest spurred by power cuts imposed by the Nigerian government.

Drawing from historical ties binding the two nations, General Tchiani emphasized that Niger and Nigeria are not just neighbors but akin to siblings, thus stressing the importance of amicable issue resolution.

Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, another member of the delegation and Chief Missioner of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, dispelled any contrary notions propagated by some sections of the media, affirming that the meeting transpired smoothly and yielded fruitful discussions between the scholars and General Tchiani. He remarked that the delegation’s next step is to report their deliberations to President Tinubu and ardently advocate for peaceful resolution instead of resorting to war.

“We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and press it on him that war is not an option in resolving the matter.

“We believe that war is an ill wind that will not blow any good and that peaceful resolution should prevail.”

The delegation comprised scholars representing diverse Islamic sects in Nigeria. Among the prominent figures were Sheik Kabiru Gombe, JIBWIS secretary; Sheik Yakubu Musa Hassan Katsina, Director of Daawah at JIBWIS; Sheik Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, representative of Sheik Ibrahim Bauchi; Dr. Khalid Aliya, Secretary-General of Jama’atul Nasril Islam; Sheikh Karibullah Nasiru Kabara, leader of the Qadiriya group; Sheik Ahmad Abdurahman; Professor Salisu Shehu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; Sheik Nasiru Abdul Muhayuid, Director Admin at JIBWIS Jos; Professor Mansur Sokoto; and Mele Kyari, GMD of NNPCL.