By Egena Sunday Ode
A delegation of Ulamas met with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday night at the Aso Rock Preaidential Villa, Abuja over the crisis in the neighbouring Niger Republic, following the removal of Mohamed Bazoum as president.
The meeting with the president is coming ahead of the ECOWAS Summit holding on Thursday to review the situation in Niger.
Recall that following the ouster of Bazoum the military junta, the regional body had given the soldiers a ine-week ultimatum to reinstate Bazoum or being forced out.
In addition, a number of sanctions have been slammed against the junta and those involved with them.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, leadet of the delegation, Sheikh Bala Lau, said they had advised President Tinubu to seek peace and reconciliation in Niger in order to avoid any untoward outcome.
According to him, Tinubu urged them to intervene in the matter by liaising their colleagues in Niger to persuade the junta to make concessions.
His words: “The delegation of Ulama here in Nigeria, met with Mr. President on the issue of Niger Republic. We want to find a lasting solution. We want peace and harmony to reign not only in Nigeria, but in the sub Sahara region and globally. So, the whole Ulama advised Mr. President, that we want peace and reconciliation.
“Always if there is anything happening between you and your neighbour, the Holy Quran commands you to reconcile. So, we want reconciliation. That’s what we’re here and our able leader and President accepted the offer that he wants us to intervene and to talk to our brothers over there in Niger Republic, the scholars as well on how we can come together and bring a lasting solution to this problem.
“That is why we’re here. And insha Allah by the Grace of Allah, we’re optimistic that Allah Subhanahu Taala will do it for us and find a lasting solution to this issue.
“The President, like he said, welcomed our intervention. And he has promised that if we could also talk to the people on the other side, for them to be ready to give concession then ECOWAS, that he is chairman of is also ready for peace.
