President Bola Tinubu has suggested that nine months is enough for the Niger military junta to return the country to civilian rule after seizing power from President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26.

The President said this when he received the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Third, at the State House, Abuja.

According to the Nigerian leader, who is also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), if Nigeria could successfully return to democracy in 1999 through a nine-month programme by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Niger coup leaders could do so too.

In a statement by his Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu said sanctions imposed on Niger Republic won’t be lifted without “positive adjustments” by the military junta.

The Niger coupists have said they need a three-year transition period to restore constitutional order in the country, a position ECOWAS rejected.

With the coup in Gabon on Wednesday, Tinubu said his fears that other countries will copy what happened in Niger was confirmed.

Speaking later after the visit, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained the reason for the visit.

A member of the NSCIA delegation and JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishak Oloyede, also spoke.