In compliance with the resolution reached at the ECOWAS extraordinary summit last weekend, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched a delegation to Niger Republic to help resolve the political impasse in the country.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, the delegation, headed by former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), left for Niamey on Thursday following a briefing by President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
In addition to General Abubakar, the delegation also includes the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Omar Alieu Touray.
Separately, a delegation led by Ambassador Babagana Kingibe will engage with leaders in Libya and Algeria regarding the crisis in Niger. The aim of both delegations is to bring about a peaceful resolution to the current situation in Niger.
Briefing the two delegations, President Tinubu urged them to do everything possible to promote a peaceful resolution of the situation in Niger for the benefit of the people of the region.
He stressed that the delegations should not be swayed by the political interests of other countries, but instead should focus on the best interests of the people of Niger. He emphasized that peace and democracy must be prioritized over geopolitical agendas.
Speaking after the meeting, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) said the delegation would meet the coup leaders in Niger to present the demands of the ECOWAS leadership.
Both leaders of the two missions expressed optimism on the outcome of the assignments.