I’m under pressure as Ecowas chairman to strike fast in Niger Republic—Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, revealed that the political crisis rocking neighbouring Republic of Niger is putting him under intense pressure to intervene fast, but that he has been holding back due to his opti­mism of a peaceful resolution in the long run.

Tinubu is the Chairman of the Eco­nomic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government.

He made the revelations on Thurs­day, while playing host to a delegation of Islamic scholars (Ulamas), who were previously engaged in discus­sions with the Niger junta to facilsiitate the restoration of constitu­tional democratic governance in the West African country. ­

While the meeting lasted, Tinu­bu implored the Islamic leaders to expedite progress in their ongoing dialogue with the junta.

The president barred his mind after he had received a comprehen­sive briefing from the Ulamas, who were led into the meeting by Sheikh Bala Lau.

The briefing followed the Ula­mas’ two most recent visits to Ni­ger Republic.

The Islamic leaders had in­formed the president that the jun­ta was open to deepening dialogue with ECOWAS as more steps are being taken to forestall armed conflict with a more detailed ac­ceptance of the ECOWAS position by Niger military council officials.

Responding to the delegation of Ulamas, against the backdrop of ethnic rumours peddled by do­mestic political figures inside and outside of the country, President Tinubu emphasised that he is at the forefront of a peaceful resolu­tion of the crisis, even in the midst of more hawkish individuals, urg­ing swifter intervention.

“I am managing a very serious situation. If you take ECOWAS aside, other people will react, those who are outside of our control. I am the one holding those sides back. I am the one holding back ECOWAS,” he disclosed.

Addressing the urgency of the situation, the president added: “Even as at this morning, I have been inundated with phone calls on the readiness of countries with their military force and contribu­tions. However, I told them to wait. I am meeting with the Ulamas and I will get back to you.”

President Tinubu told the Islamic delegation that the jun­ta must be held accountable for putting the entire people of Niger Republic in jeopardy.

‘’They cannot use the gun given to them to protect the sovereignty of the country and turn it against the people of the country,” he said.

President Tinubu pledged that ECOWAS will remain steadfast in its commitment to diplomatically engage with all stakeholders and seek a peaceful resolution to the impasse in Niger Republic.

“I will draw a line in the sand and ask you to make arrange­ments to go back to Niger Repub­lic,” he stated.

On the request by the Islamic scholars for the Federal Govern­ment to monitor the distribu­tion of palliatives to states, the president promised that more palliatives are coming for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.

He also appealed to state gov­ernments to ensure transparency and accountability in the distri­bution and management of these palliatives.

“The people reside in the states. Even if I set up a panel, I will have to go through the governors and the local governments. We will continue to talk to the governors. Nigerians must hold them ac­countable,” he continued.

“It’s unheard of that in a con­stitutional democracy, a president will sit here and give orders to states. I can only appeal to them to implement. The people reside in the states, and if the governor is not doing well, the people must vote them out,” he concluded.