The 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, has met with the military leaders in Niger Republic.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria met the military leadership after the junta aborted a meeting with representatives of the African Union, the Economic Community of West Africa States and a top American diplomat.
A delegation raised by ECOWAS could not broker peace with the military rulers as they declined a meeting.
Yesterday, footages of Sanusi, whose Tijjaniya sect has a large following in Niger Republic, was in circulation.
Sanusi, who is the Khalifa of the sect in Nigeria, met the Junta leaders in company of the Sultan of Damagaran. Damagaran is the third largest city in the Republic of Niger.
Sources revealed that Sanusi went there to open the door for negotiation with the junta.
One of the sources said: “His Highness took the trip in his personal capacity but with the knowledge of President Bola Tinubu following his concerns about the impasse and the likely consequences it is already having on Nigeria/Niger relations and the citizens of the two countries.”
On his return from Niamey yesterday, Sanusi visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He later told State House reporters that he was well received by the Niger’s military leaders.
When asked whether he was in Niamey at the behest of the Federal Government, Sanusi responded: “No, I was not sent by the government. Government officials were aware I was going, but it was my personal initiative, using my personal contacts to get there, and I’ll continue to do my best. It’s my duty as a leader to do that.”
Sanusi said he was at the Villa “to brief him (Tinubu) on the details of my discussions with leaders of Niger. We’ll continue to do our best to bring the two parties together to improve understanding.
“This is the time for public diplomacy, it’s not a matter that we will leave to governments. All Nigerians and all Nigeriens need to be involved to find a solution that works for Africa, a solution that works for Niger, a solution that works for Nigeria and a solution that works for humanity.”
