Moves to site US, French military bases in Nigeria a fact – Professor
*Says Info Minister knows not what goes on behind the scenes
“I pity ministers who serve in illiberal democracies or totalitarian regimes. Quite often, they don’t know what takes place behind the scenes.”
The Director of the Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training, Zaria, Professor Abubakar Siddique, says there were indeed, moves to site the United States and France millitary bases in Nigeria.
He made the statement while fielding questions on Arise Television News programme on Monday.
READ ALSO Criticisms force Nigerian govt to deny plans to host US, French military bases on nation’s soil
Siddique’s position was coming after the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, denied in a statement on Monday, saying that the Nigerian government was not considering allowing any foreign military base in the country.
According to him, ministers in illiberal democracies or totalitarian regimes often don’t know what takes place behind the scenes, saying he pities the Minister of Information.
Siddique said they are happy that the federal government has backpedaled.
“Many of us have decades of research experience; thirty, forty years of research experience. So, we don’t just write or say things lightly. We are sure of our facts.
“I pity ministers who serve in illiberal democracies or totalitarian regimes. Quite often, they don’t know what takes place behind the scenes.
“I pity the Minister of Information. You know I respect him, but he does what he has been asked to do. Before we came out, he had to do our research extensively in Nigeria, Ghana, Niger and in Mali.
“We are happy that the federal government has backpedaled. That’s our objective. We are struggling to ensure that whatever is left of our political independence is not further eroded.
“And now that the government has come out to say there’s nothing like that, even when we know there were moves to actually get Nigeria to sign this agreement. That’s not even an agreement because of what is imposed on it.”
