Tinubu condoles with Niger junta leader over father’s death

President Bola Tinubu expressed condolences to Niger Republic's military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, on the loss of his father, Tiani Hassane, who passed away at the age of 110 on Thursday. In a message signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu acknowledged the profound personal grief experienced by Tiani upon the death of his father.

He urged Tiani to find comfort in his father's enduring faith, honor, and integrity, and in the knowledge that his long and fulfilling life was a blessing to all who knew him. Tinubu also conveyed Nigeria's solidarity with General Tiani and the Government and people of the Republic of Niger during this time of mourning. The President prayed for Almighty Allah to grant the deceased a place in Jannah Firdaus and comfort to all those he left behind.

The condolence message comes amid strained relations between Nigeria and Niger Republic following the military coup in July 2023, in which General Tiani led the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum. Nigeria, under Tinubu's leadership, spearheaded regional pressure, including a threat of military intervention, to restore civilian rule.

This move further exacerbated the already strained ties between the two countries, as Niger and Burkina Faso withdrew from ECOWAS and formed the Alliance of Sahel States.