Nothing stops Niger junta from replicating Abdulsalami’s nine-month transition plan, says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has asked the military junta in the Niger Republic to replicate Nigeria’s previous transition plan.

Abdourahmane Tiani, Niger’s self-declared head of state, 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.

While receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) at the State House on Thursday, Tinubu said Niger’s junta could shorten its proposed transition plan. 

Tinubu noted that Nigeria under 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.”

Tinubu, who is also the ECOWAS chairperson, has been vocal about using diplomacy to restore diplomatic order in Niger.