Buhari Cancels Niger Trip, Sends Delegation

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday cancelled his scheduled trip to Niger Republic.

The President was expected to attend the 59th Proclamation of Republic of Niger Ceremony in Tahoua, Niger, on Monday.

He was to participate alongside leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania in the event held on December 18 of every year to commemorate the founding of the Republic of Niger and creation of the Presidency.

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“After the ceremony, the Nigerian leader will hold bilateral meetings with some of his counterparts before returning to Abuja same day, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said on Sunday.

Shehu however disclosed that Mr Buhari did not embark on the trip on Monday as scheduled.

According to him, the President cancelled the trip because he felt satisfied with discussions he had with President Mahamadou Issoufou in last weekend’s meeting of the Economic Community of West African States in Abuja.

He added that Buhari decided to send the governors of Katsina, Yobe and Borno States as well as the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs to represent him.

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“The event to which the President was invited is the celebration of the 59th year of the country’s independence,” Shehu said.

“Niger invited the leaders of neighbouring states: the Presidents of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania and Nigeria.

“President Buhari felt satisfied that he had had useful discussions with his friend and brother, President Mahamadou Issoufou, in the course of the weekend meeting in Abuja, of the Economic Community of West African States.

“After a phone call last (Sunday) night, between the leaders, President Buhari decided to send a delegation made up of the three governors of Katsina, Yobe and Borno States along with the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs to represent him.”

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