A former Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank, Lamido Sanusi, is in Niger to meet with the junta leaders.

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Mr Sanusi, a former Emir of Kano, was seen in a picture standing beside the leader of the junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

It is not clear in what capacity Mr Sanusi visited Niger. However, the former monarch is a close ally of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu who is also the ECOWAS leader.

Mr Sanusi is also the spiritual leader (Khalifah) of the Tijaniyah Islamic movement in Nigeria, a movement with millions of members across West Africa, including Niger.

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Mr Sanusi was accompanied on the visit, believed to be yesterday (Wednesday), by the Emir of Damagaram in Zinder, in the Maradi region of Niger.

Since regional body ECOWAS imposed sanctions on Niger following last month’s coup, Mr Tchiani has refused to meet most of the official delegations sent to the country.

Mr Tchiani also refused to meet a joint delegation of the UN, AU and ECOWAS.

Mr Tchiani also declined to meet with an ECOWAS delegation led by former military leader Abdulsalami Abubakar. He also refused to meet with the US Acting Deputy Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland.

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ECOWAS leaders will meet Thursday (Today) to review the situation in Niger following the expiration of the one week ultimatum given to the coup leaders to relinquish power back to President Mohamed Bazoum.

Sanusi briefs Tinubu on outcome of meeting 

Shortly after returning from Niger Republic, Sanusi met last night with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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He arrived the Villa at about 8:25pm immediately after a high delegation of the Nigeria Islamic Ulama met with the President.

Asked about his visit to Niger, the former Emir said, “I came to brief him 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 not the time public diplomacy is left to governments alone. All Nigerians, all Nigeriens need to be involved to find a solution that works for Africa, a solution that works for Niger, that works for Nigeria, and a solution that works for humanity.

Asked to respond to the reports that he took the initiative by himself and not government’s delegation, he said, “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 will continue to do my best. It is my duty as a leader to do that.”

He said that he was well received by the military juntas in Niger.