Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has stated its opposition to the sanctions imposed on Niger by ECOWAS following the coup in the country.

“…it is well known that such kinds of economic sanctions are counter-productive and eventually end in futility,” the NSCIA stated in a statement by its Deputy Secretary-General, Salisu Shehu.

NSCIA, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, also stated its opposition to using force to dislodge the putschists who ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from office last month.

In its statement, NSCIA acknowledged that the coup leaders were defiant in their stance but called for dialogue in dealing with them.

NSCIA is the most influential Islamic organisation in Nigeria where millions of Muslims consider the Sultan as their leader.

It would be recalled that the Sultan was appointed as a member of a three-person team to negotiate with the coup leaders. The team however could not meet leader of the military junta.

PT