Nigeria, France not in alliance to destabilise Niger Republic, FG refutes

*Says Niger military leader’s allegations against Nigeria baseless
*Pro-democracy group demands closer look at charges
By Citizenship Daily
The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria has rejected allegations made in a viral video by the military leader of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani that Nigeria is in cahoots with France to destabilize his country.
The FG refutal was conveyed by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation in a statement on Thursday.
“These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination, as Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France – or any other country – to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilize the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country,” the FG has said.
In a related development, a pro-democracy group, the League of Northern Democrats,LND, had also yesterday, described the allegations by the leader of Niger Republic as too weighty to be swept under the carpet.
The LND demands the Federal government to, as a matter of national importance, come forward with accurate and verified explanations over allegations of France complicity in funding Boko Haram insurgency.
According to the FG, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), as Chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging the Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country.
Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger, the Nigeria’s spokesman said.
He said Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region, and that It will be absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country.
“Neither the Nigerian government nor any of its officials has ever been involved in arming or supporting any terror group to attack Niger Republic. Furthermore, no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic. We reiterate our full support to senior Nigerian government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between the government and people of Nigeria and Niger, and for their efforts towards stronger cooperation in the ECOWAS region.
“Indeed, Nigeria has a long-standing tradition of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Unlike some nations, Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil. This demonstrates our commitment to national independence and regional leadership,” Idris said.
According to him, the accusation that Nigeria seeks to sabotage Niger’s pipelines and agriculture is both unfounded and counterproductive.
“Nigeria has consistently supported Niger’s economic development through joint energy and infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project. It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted,” he said.
He added that the claims about the alleged establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly orchestrated by Nigeria in collaboration with France, are baseless.
“Nigeria has been a regional leader in combating terrorism, dedicating significant resources and lives to ensure stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond.
“Recently, the Nigerian military launched Operation Forest Sanity III, specifically addressing the Lakurawa threat, Code Named Operation Chase Lakurawa Out. How can a government actively fighting the Lakurawa menace now be accused of harbouring the same group within its borders? These accusations lack credible evidence and seem to be part of a broader attempt to deflect attention from Niger’s internal challenges.
“The public is urged to disregard these false allegations. Those making such claims, particularly the Military Leader in Niger Republic, must provide credible evidence to substantiate them. Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in the Niger Republic is both disingenuous and doomed to fail.
“In conclusion, President Tchiani’s allegations are not only unfounded but also a dangerous attempt to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings. Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and will continue to lead efforts to address terrorism and other transnational challenges. We urge Niger to focus on constructive dialogue and collaboration rather than peddling baseless accusations.”
Meanwhile, the LND, in a press release issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Dr. Ladan Salihu, expressed reservations over allegations made by the President of Niger Republic, in a Hausa video clip that has gone viral, accusing France of complicity in funding and equipping Boko Haram.
According to the statement, some prominent Nigerian officials in government have been allegedly playing roles in the saga.
The LND noted that despite poor diplomatic relations between Niger on one hand, and France and Nigeria on the other, these allegations, made by a sitting president with access to sensitive intelligence and specific information, are too significant to be ignored as mere international politics.
“Considering the severe impact of Boko Haram insurgency on Northern Nigeria, these claims demand a transparent and immediate response from the Nigerian government to uphold national security and restore public trust.
“More so, with the current unusually close and intense personal and governmental relationship between President Tinubu and France, including the signing of bilateral agreements, there are reasons to treat these accusations in the best public interest.
“We therefore, respectfully call on the federal government to provide the nation – especially the North that is bearing the brunt of the insurgency – with concrete, cogent and verifiable evidence refuting or clarifying these allegations.
“Their silence risks further eroding the confidence of the people, most especially northerners. The government must clearly articulate its position, ensuring that no Nigerian official is unfairly implicated in activities undermining our nation’s sovereignty and stability,” the LND statement said.