Niger coup: Nigerian president calls for quick transition, says military option still open

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has again stressed that all diplomatic options would be exhausted before any military action is taken against the Nigerien junta led General Abdourahmane Tchiani.

A statement in Abuja by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said Mr Tinubu emphasised the non-acceptance of forceful removal of a democratic government in the sub-region.

Mr Tinubu stated this when he received the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, at the State House.

“I must thank you for your several visits to Niger Republic, Your Eminence, but you will still have to go back. My fear has been confirmed in Gabon that copy cats will start doing the same thing until it is stopped.

‘’We are neighbours with Niger Republic, and what has joined Nigerians together with their great people cannot be broken. Nobody is interested in a war. We have seen the devastation in Ukraine and Sudan. But, if we don’t wield the big stick, we will all suffer the consequences together,” the president said.

“Your Eminence, please don’t get tired, you will still go back there. The soldiers’ action is unacceptable. The earlier they make positive adjustments, the quicker we will dial back the sanctions to alleviate the sufferings we are seeing in Niger,” Tinubu said.

Regarding the hardships experienced by many Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidies, the president stated that the ongoing reforms would reposition the economy and benefit the majority of the population in terms of opportunity, infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

“Nigeria is headed for a promise. Our diversity will turn into prosperity, not adversity. We will build a country that our children will be proud of,” the president assured.

“If Nigeria is still looking for vaccines for basic health issues; if infant and maternal mortality is rampant, then we should examine ourselves. I will commit to consulting with other leaders, like the NSCIA, and we will meet the needs of our people,” he said.