The Nigerian Federal Government has categorically denied allegations leveled against it by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger Republic, who accused Nigeria of collaborating with France to destabilize his country. These accusations, according to a statement released by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, are completely unfounded and merely serve as a diversionary tactic employed by Tchiani to deflect attention from his regime’s inadequacies and the illegitimacy of his power grab. The Nigerian government vehemently rejects the notion of any alliance, whether overt or covert, with France or any other nation, aimed at destabilizing Niger. The statement emphasizes Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, particularly its longstanding diplomatic relationship with Niger, and characterizes the accusations as fabrications existing solely in the imagination of the coup leader.
Nigeria’s position, as articulated by the government, underscores its dedication to peaceful resolutions and diplomatic engagement. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has consistently maintained an open-door policy for dialogue with Niger despite the disruption of democratic governance caused by the military coup. This commitment to engagement, according to the statement, demonstrates Nigeria’s prioritization of diplomacy and peaceful solutions to the crisis. The government’s response highlights the stark contrast between its approach, which emphasizes dialogue and regional stability, and the unsubstantiated accusations made by the military regime in Niger.
Furthermore, the Nigerian government highlighted its significant contributions to regional security, particularly in combating terrorism. The Nigerian Armed Forces play a key role in the Multinational Joint Task Force, a collaborative effort aimed at curbing the spread of terrorism in the region. Therefore, the government argues, it is absurd to suggest that Nigeria would simultaneously undermine the peace and security of a neighboring nation while actively working to combat terrorism within the same region. The accusation, the government maintains, contradicts Nigeria’s established track record of working with regional partners to maintain stability and counter terrorist threats. This commitment, the statement argues, discredits the notion of any involvement in destabilizing activities.
Addressing specific allegations, the Nigerian government denied ceding any part of its territory to foreign powers or establishing terrorist bases in collaboration with France, particularly within Sokoto State. The claim of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State is categorically dismissed as baseless. The statement points to Nigeria’s consistent efforts and substantial resource allocation to combating terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond. This dedication, the government argues, is evident in recent military operations such as Operation Forest Sanity III, which specifically targeted the Lakurawa threat, thereby demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to neutralizing terrorist elements within its borders and the broader region. These ongoing operations directly contradict the accusations made by the Nigerien military junta.
The statement also refutes accusations of Nigeria sabotaging Niger’s pipelines and agriculture. It highlights Nigeria’s active support for Niger’s economic development, citing initiatives like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project as examples of its commitment to fostering regional economic growth. The government asserts that it is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine projects it has actively promoted and invested in. Such actions would be counterproductive to Nigeria’s stated goals of regional cooperation and development. The accusations, therefore, lack credibility in the context of Nigeria’s demonstrated commitment to regional economic integration.
In conclusion, the Federal Government of Nigeria urges the public, both domestically and internationally, to disregard General Tchiani’s allegations, describing them as a desperate attempt to shift blame and justify the unconstitutional seizure of power. The government challenges Tchiani to provide credible evidence to substantiate his claims, emphasizing that any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the coup d’état is disingenuous and destined to fail. The statement reinforces Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to diplomatic resolutions within the ECOWAS framework and reemphasizes its dedication to fostering peace and stability within the region. It further reiterates its condemnation of the unconstitutional change of government in Niger and calls for a return to democratic governance.
