Bauchi renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi has stressed that force is not the solution to the political impasse in the Niger Republic but diplomacy and roundtable dialogue.
He, therefore, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to lead West Africa to war with the Nigerien military junta as the deadline given by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to the military junta in the Niger Republic expired,
The World known Cleric, who is the leader of the Tijjaniya sect in Nigeria, also urged the National Assembly not to approve the request made by the President for any form of war with the Niger Republic.
According to him, instead of engaging in war with the Francophone West African country, President Tinubu and other ECOWAS leaders should rather engage in dialogue with the Nigerien military junta that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum going forward.
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, who stated this in Bauchi while interacting with Journalists, pointed out that both Nigeria and Niger Republics have a longtime cordial relationship that needs to be strengthened more.
According to him, “Nigerians and Nigerien are united. Hence there is the need for the Federal Government to engage in diplomatic approaches with a view to strengthening the cordial relationship for the economic growth and development of the two West African countries.”
“If Nigeria should embark on war with Niger, many would not only suffer the consequence, but innocent souls would also be killed. It is good to find an amicable resolution to avoid shedding the blood of innocent souls,” he said
He urged other West African leaders and other critical stakeholders to embrace diplomatic dialogue.
He stressed that “We are appealing to President Tinubu; we are also appealing to the National Assembly and all ECOWAS leaders and stakeholders not to engage Niger in war.”
“This is to save the lives of innocent souls and to save people from incurring more hardship,” Sheikh Bauchi said.
