Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the military junta in the Niger Republic to replicate Nigeria’s previous transition plan.
The Informant247 had earlier reported that Niger’s self-declared head of state, Abdourahmane Tiani had said the country would return to civilian rule within three years.
Tiani made the proposal after a meeting with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Nigerian head of state.
However, ECOWAS rejected the transition plan, saying it would no longer accept prolonged power handovers in the sub-region.
Tinubu, while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) at the State House on Thursday, maintained that Niger’s junta could shorten its proposed transition plan, saying Abdulsalami instituted a nine-month transition programme in 1998 which was successful and led the country into a new era of democratic governance.
“The president sees no reason why such can not be replicated in Niger if Niger’s military authorities are sincere,” a statement released by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, said.
“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.”
