President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday met with governors from Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, Katsina, and Jigawa, states that share boundaries with the Niger Republic.
While the details were not immediately disclosed, the meeting is understood to be part of wider discussions on the political instability in Niger.
OsunDailyNG recalls that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) chaired by President Tinubu, had given a deadline to the Nigerien military to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.
Tinubu stated last Sunday that force could be used as a last resort if the coup leaders in Niger did not comply within the time frame.
The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) had urged Tinubu to explore diplomatic means to resolve the crisis.
They warned that deploying Nigerian troops to Niger would impact seven northern states that share borders with the country.
A week after President Bazoum’s ouster, Niger’s new military government reopened its land borders and airspace to Mali, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Libya, and Chad, but excluded other ECOWAS member states.
In retaliation, the Nigerian government closed all land borders with Niger and cut off electricity supply.
In turn, Niger’s military recalled its ambassadors in Nigeria, France, the United States, and Togo.
As the deadline approaches, the next steps from the regional body are unclear, with many stakeholders advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
