- Says Tchiani’s Allegation Unfounded, Baseless
- He Wants To Rile Up The North Against The President-Bwala
- There’s No Foreign Military Base In Nigeria-NSA
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has thrown its weight behind Nigeria following allegations from neighbouring Niger Republic that the country is offering support to France.
The Matrix reports that Abdourahamane Tchiani, military leader of Niger had claimed that France is negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to destabilise his country.
However, Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, in a statement refuted the allegations.
Idris said despite Nigeria’s estranged relationship with Niger over the military coup, President Bola Tinubu, as the ECOWAS chairman, has left doors open for dialogue.
The minister added that it was absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring nation.
Reacting to the accusations, ECOWAS on Thursday evening issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over Niger’s allegations.
ECOWAS described the allegations as unfounded, refuting claims that such a “generous and magnanimous country” as Nigeria would become a state-sponsor of terrorism.
“For years, Nigeria has supported peace and security of several countries not only in the West African subregion but also on the African continent,” the statement added.
“The recent successes recorded by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which Nigeria leads, demonstrates the country’s commitment to peace and security across the region.”
The bloc also threw its weight behind other member countries.
Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali had exited the bloc after shunning France and turning towards Russia for support in curbing terrorism.
At the last ECOWAS heads of states and governments meeting, the bloc said the three countries would be permanently cut off next year, but left a six-month final negotiation period with the estranged nations.
ECOWAS urged all member states to promote dialogue and stability and refrain from making accusations without evidence.
Meanwhile, Daniel Bwala, the president’s special adviser on policy communication, described Tchiani’s claims as “despicable propaganda.”
Reacting to the allegations in a video posted on his X page on Friday, Bwala said the claims are “baseless propaganda, designed to create chaos and incite bad blood in northern Nigeria against Tinubu”.
“Yesterday I came across a video, a despicable propaganda piece by the military head of state of the Niger Republic against the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and this is what you often see with military interregnum,” he said.
“The honeymoon is over; he has not been able to address economic situations in his country; everything is turning against him, and in the desperate gasp for breath, he decided to resort to cheap false lies and propaganda against Nigeria.”
The presidential aide noted Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role in West Africa and its commitment to fostering bilateral relations with neighbouring countries.
“Nigeria over the years has maintained its leadership in the West African sub-region and as a country we have not only developed but maintained bilateral relationships with our neighbours and have been of help tremendously to our neighbouring countries,” he said.
“It is lies, and he chose a local language in the north because he wants to rile up the north against the president. I don’t think any politician in Nigeria who has absolute interest in the national interest and security of Nigeria will ever take part in that kind of negative rhetoric.
“Probably in cahoots with politicians in Nigeria, you never know, but the whole idea is to create chaos and bad blood in northern Nigeria against the president.”
Bwala asked Nigerians to disregard Tchiani’s claims as “false and divisive”.
“First of all, his lies and propaganda are false as can be seen by all. Nigeria has never had to give its own land as a military base to any country,” he said.
“Nigeria is a nation that has its own capacity to protect its citizens, and every nation has its own struggle in a bid to safeguard the country.
“It is becoming clear that the honeymoon he had with his people is over. He probably doesn’t have a plan for his people and has resorted to that cheap blackmail. It is false, and nobody should take him seriously.”
On his part, Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), says there is no foreign military base in the country.
Ribadu made this statement in response to allegations by Tchiani, leader of Niger Republic, who accused Nigeria of working with France to destabilise his country.
READ ALSO: Niger Republic’s Terrorism Allegation: It Is Unfounded, Baseless, ECOWAS Backs Nigeria
But speaking with BBC Hausa on Friday, the NSA said the claims made by Niger’s leader are false.
Ribadu said Niger and Nigeria should join forces to deal with Lakurawa which has constituted security problems to both countries.
“There is no doubt that the President of Niger knows Nigeria very well, but I want you, as journalists, to go to the places he mentioned and see for yourself, or ask the residents of the places if there are any foreigners, let alone soldiers from other countries,” he said.
“The leaders of the military regime in Niger should understand that we, Nigeria, are not a problem for them.
“These terrorists, whom we are fighting, are our problem. We should confront them together.”
Ribadu said Nigeria would continue to work with the Niger Republic “because the two countries and their peoples are brothers”, adding that both should unite for the development of their respective societies.
