The leader of the military junta in the Republic of Niger, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, has opened up on why he led the coup in his country in which they overthrew President Mohammad Bazoum.

According to him, the coup was carried out “to avert an imminent threat that would have affected not only the Niger Republic but also Nigeria.”

General Tchiani added that it was painful to the coup leaders that the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government leaders did not hear their side of the matter before issuing an ultimatum to them to quit office.

He said these when he received Nigeria’s intervention team, comprising prominent Islamic scholars in the country in Niamey.

NewsOrient Network learnt that the coup leader and the Nigerian team agreed to intensify the option of dialogue in resolving the political crisis in his country.

A statement by the leader of the Islamic Ulamma, Sheik Bala Lau, stated that “General Tchiani, who accorded the team warm reception, welcomed their intervention, adding that their doors are open to explore diplomacy and peace in resolving the matter.

He apologized for not according to the team sent by President Bola Tinubu, led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, retd, the required attention because they were angry about the ECOWAS ultimatum.

Also tracing historical ties between the two nations, he said Niger Republic and Nigeria are not only neighbours but also brothers and sisters who should resolve issues amicably.

Bala Lau, National Chairman of Jamatul Izalatu Bida Waikamatu Sunnah, reportedly said “the clerics were in Niger on behalf of President Bola Tinubu who accepted their request to intervene.”

Sheik Lau said the team had earlier told President Tinubu who is also the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government that their position was that the political impasse in Niger is resolved through dialogue.

Speaking with journalists in Niamey after the meeting, another member of the intervention team and Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Ahmad Abdulrahman, said contrary to reports in some sections of the media, the team was well received by General Tchiani and both parties had fruitful discussions.

He said: “We will now go back home and report to President Tinubu what we have discussed and press it on him that war is not an option in resolving the political crisis in his country.

A statement by the leader of the Islamic Ulamma, Sheik Bala Lau, stated that General Tchiani, who accorded the team warm reception, welcomed their intervention.