The meeting was held at the State House in Abuja and was part of Tinubu’s consultations on the situation in Niger. The governors in attendance were Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Mai Malam Buni (Yobe), Idris Nasir (Kebbi), and Dr Dikko Radda (Katsina).
The meeting was also attended by Northern elites, who expressed their opposition to the planned military offensive against the Nigerien military junta. They cited the potential consequences of such an action for Nigeria, including the destabilization of the region.
Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the military junta in Niger to restore democracy by returning power to Mohammed Bazoum. The junta has not yet responded to the ultimatum.
In the meantime, ECOWAS has imposed a number of sanctions on Niger, including the closure of borders and the suspension of flights. Tinubu has also written to the Nigerian Senate seeking approval to deploy military personnel to Niger. However, the Senate has rejected the request.
The meeting with the governors was an opportunity for Tinubu to discuss the situation in Niger and to get their input on how to proceed. The governors expressed their support for Tinubu’s efforts to restore democracy in Niger, but they also emphasized the need for caution. They warned that a military intervention could have unintended consequences for Nigeria.
Tinubu has said that he will continue to consult with all stakeholders in order to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Niger.
