Nigeria’s high-profile diplomatic mission to engage with the Nigerien coup plotters was met with a surprising denial of entry. Former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar, who were dispatched by President Tinubu, were restricted to the airport in Niamey, where they engaged in discussions with low-ranking members of the military junta.
The denial of entry and limited access to the airport for such prominent emissaries has been described by diplomatic sources as “embarrassing and an affront” to Nigeria’s status. Both General Abdulsalami and the Sultan hold significant respect both domestically and internationally. General Abdulsalami is credited with being a key figure in Nigeria’s transition to democracy when he handed over power to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999. Sultan Muhammadu Saad Abubakar, on the other hand, is a revered leader of Nigeria’s Muslim community and holds influence in Niger, a country with a Muslim majority.
Despite the stature of the delegation, reports suggest that the meeting with the coup plotters yielded little serious commitment from the Nigerien side. The discussions took place in a small room at the airport, and no substantial progress was achieved.
The situation escalated as the coup plotters, within hours of the meeting, cut diplomatic ties with Nigeria and other nations. This series of events has sparked concern and speculation about the motives behind the denial of entry and the subsequent diplomatic fallout.
Dr. Kari of the University of Abuja noted that if true, the denial of entry and restricted access to the airport signal a deliberate and significant humiliation of Nigeria. This unexpected outcome has led to questions about the effectiveness of the mission and the intentions of the coup plotters. It appears that the Nigerien junta sought to assert their power and send a message of defiance and readiness for any potential confrontation.
