Tinubu’s envoy Abubakar opposes war, says ‘it doesn’t pay anybody’
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“Hopefully, diplomacy will see the better of this. Nobody wants to go to war. It doesn’t pay anybody, but then, our leaders have said if all fails, and I don’t think all will fail, we’ll get somewhere, we’ll get out of this mess’ – Abubakar
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President Bola Tinubu’s special envoy, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, says discussions with the coupists in Niger Republic are fruitful and the drumbeats of war should be silenced for now to pave the way for a peaceful resolution of the impasse in Nigeria’s northern neighbour.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), currently chaired by Tinubu, has rejected the three-year transition to civilian rule tabled by the junta, whose illegal reign has attracted attracted suspension of Niger Republic from both ECOWAS and the African Union (AU).
And ECOWAS military chiefs have reiterated the bloc’s standby force is ready to launch an offensive in the landlocked country, stressing there may be no alternative to dislodging the coup plotters.
But Abdulsalami stressed the need for more dialogue after he submitted to Tinubu in Abuja a report by his delegation on its meeting with the new military leaders in Niamey.
During its visit to Niger last Saturday, the delegation also met with ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who is reportedly not receiving adequate health attention along with his family.
Abdulsalami, who was accompanied in the visit to the Villa in Abuja by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, said ECOWAS will continue to explore all options but with emphasis on a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
“As you are aware, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government have made me an envoy to Niger Republic and we were there over the weekend to see the military people, and discussed to find a way out of the lacuna we find ourselves in,” he recounted.
“I must say that our visit to Niger has been very fruitful and that it has opened an avenue to start talking and hopefully we’ll get somewhere.”
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‘Nobody wants to go to war,’ says Abubakar
Abubakar disclosed the delegation presented the three-year transition plan of the junta to Tinubu to table it before ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, according to Vanguard.
“Well, like I said, we’ve started talking, they have made their own points and then I made my report to the Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of State and President.
“He will now consult with his colleagues and then the ding-dong starts and we’ll get somewhere hopefully.
“Hopefully, diplomacy will see the better of this. Nobody wants to go to war. It doesn’t pay anybody, but then, our leaders have said if all fails, and I don’t think all will fail, we’ll get somewhere, we’ll get out of this mess.’’