Tinubu condoles with Niger junta leader over father’s death

Niger Republic's military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday conveyed Nigeria’s condolences to Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, following the death of his father, Tiani Hassane. The elder Tiani died on Thursday at the age of 110.

In a condolence message signed on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the loss of a father as “a profound and deeply personal grief.”

He urged Tiani to draw comfort from his father’s remarkable longevity and the impact he made on those around him.

“In this moment of mourning, I pray that you will find solace in the enduring legacy of faith, honour, and integrity that your father leaves behind, and in the knowledge that his long and fulfilled life was a blessing to all who knew him,” the President wrote.

He added, “Nigeria stands in solidarity with Your Excellency and the Government and people of the Republic of Niger during this period of grief.”

Tinubu prayed that Almighty Allah, in His infinite mercy, would grant the deceased Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort all those he left behind.

The condolence message comes against the backdrop of strained relations between Nigeria and Niger Republic following the military coup of July 2023, in which Tiani led the overthrow of elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

Nigeria, under Tinubu, then chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, spearheaded regional pressure, including the threat of military intervention, to restore civilian rule.

The move exacerbated the already strained ties between the two countries, even as Niger joined Burkina Faso and Mali in withdrawing from ECOWAS and forming the Alliance of Sahel States.