The threat by Niger Republic’s military regime to prosecute ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” may be a bargaining chip, the National Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Abdurrahman Ahmad, has said.

Ahmad was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast programme on Tuesday.

The cleric was part of the Islamic delegation from Nigeria that met with the Niger junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani on Sunday.

Just after the meeting, the coup leaders vowed to prosecute Bazoum who was toppled on July 26, 2023.

Ahmad said the meeting with the coup leaders was not going to be a one-off engagement.

He said the threat to prosecute Bazoum “came to us as diplomatis”, adding that “this is a time when everyone will be putting bargaining chips on the table.”

Ahmad said Tchiani the Islamic delegation that his government was ready for negotiations.

“As far as I’m concerned, they want to be negotiating from a position of relative strength, not absolute weakness.

“The way I see the people, the way we interacted with them, I believe that they would not and they cannot afford to renege on their promise and commitment.

“Of course, this is why the President, (Bola Tinubu), also has graciously approved the continuing contact, diplomatic effort with them.”

Ahmad said the Islamic delegation would further engage with the coup leaders and “talk them out of that (prosecution of Bazoum).

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on Niger in response to the coup and has not ruled out using force against the army officers.

The West African bloc has approved the deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger as soon as possible but remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis. (Channels TV: Text, Excluding Headline)

•COMBO PHOTO of National Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Abdurrahman Ahmad (L) and coup leaders (C) in Niger Republic