Nigeria denies conspiring with France to destabilize Niger Republic, others
By KEMI KASUMU
The allegations by Republic of Niger Wednesday that its neighbour, Nigeria, was conniving and conspiring with France, its former colonial master, to destabilize it and other West African countries have been denied.
This denial was made in a statement by the Nigerian authorities on Thursday.
According to the government, the allegations made in a viral video by the military Head of State of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, were described as baseless and non-existent with it saying there was no such collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilize his country.
Recall that the Niger Republic Government had alleged the establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly orchestrated by the Nigerian government in collaboration with France, to destroy their country.
It also alleged that that the Nigeria government sought to sabotage Niger’s pipelines and agriculture among other allegations.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Thursday, noted that the claims existed solely in the realm of the imagination of the Niger ruler.
He clarified that 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.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country, saying Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger.
He said, ”Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region. It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country.
He explained that 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 reiterated 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”.
According to him, 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, adding that this demonstrates the country’s commitment to national independence and regional leadership.
