President Bola Tinubu has rejected a request by Niger’s military leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani for direct one-on-one talks to help resolve the crisis in the West African country.

According to diplomatic sources, Tinubu dismissed the overture as disrespectful to detained President Mohamed Bazoum and an endorsement of the illegal junta government.

The request was conveyed to Tinubu by a delegation of Muslim clerics who met him in Abuja last month. But the Nigerian leader outrightly ruled out interacting directly with the head of a coup government not recognized by ECOWAS.

Government sources confirmed Tinubu insisted that engaging Tchiani would improperly legitimize the junta and disappoint other ECOWAS leaders. The president stated that the coupists must be held accountable.

Tinubu had also received emissaries like ex-Nigerian leader Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar and Sultan of Sokoto, who visited Niger to discuss resolution. But the impasse persists amid doubts on sending envoys who benefited from past military rule.

The ECOWAS chairman however told the Ulamas delegation that the bloc remains committed to a peaceful and diplomatic solution. Tinubu pledged to continue restraining calls for swifter intervention in the crisis.

Analysts say Tinubu’s rejection of direct discussion with Tchiani sends an important signal, but a united ECOWAS front is needed to resolve the coup crisis. The junta continues to hold President Bazoum in detention.