President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has revealed that there is increasing pressure on him to deploy military force in Niger Republic.
As the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Tinubu emphasized that his commitment to peaceful resolution guides his approach to the matter.
Tinubu stated this while hosting top Islamic clerics (Ulama) led by Sheikh Bala Lau at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
It was the second time the clerics were visiting the President. The first time they visited was August 9, when they were granted permission to travel to Niamey and hold talks with the junta.
The president okayed the Ulama’s request to continue the talks with the coup leaders urging them to expedite action as time was of the essence.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement that Tinubu received a comprehensive briefing from the clerics on their visits to Niamey.
The Islamic leaders, according to Ngelale, informed the President that the coup leaders were open to deepening dialogue with ECOWAS in order to forestall armed conflict.
