The Presidency on Thursday dismissed claims made by Niger Republic’s leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, that Nigeria is collaborating with France to establish military bases on its soil.
The allegations, described as baseless and false, were addressed by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, in a text message to Tribune Online.
General Tiani alleged that France, under the pretext of combating terrorism, is attempting to establish a foothold in Nigeria to destabilise the Niger Republic and neighbouring countries.
According to him, France is purportedly providing financial incentives to Nigerian authorities to set up a military base in Borno State and planning a “terrorist operational centre” in Gaba, Sokoto State.
Tiani further claimed that these actions were part of a broader strategy by France to undermine Niger’s sovereignty and destabilise the West African region.
Reacting to these claims, Onanuga categorically denied the allegations and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity. He dismissed Tiani’s statements as unfounded propaganda aimed at tarnishing Nigeria’s international reputation.
Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune, Onanuga stated, “Do you believe this lie? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already issued a response, and we stand firmly by it. President Tinubu would never contemplate yielding even an inch of Nigerian territory to any foreign military force. Such an idea is unthinkable.”
Onanuga emphasised President Tinubu’s unwavering dedication to preserving Nigeria’s sovereignty and ensuring that the nation’s borders remain secure.
He assured Nigerians that the presidency would not be drawn into baseless accusations that serve to distract from critical issues in the region.
“The President is fully committed to Nigeria’s independence and security,” Onanuga reiterated.
“He will never allow any foreign entity to compromise our sovereignty under any guise.”
While Onanuga referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s earlier response, details of that statement reinforced Nigeria’s rejection of the allegations.
The Ministry highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining peaceful and cooperative relations with neighbouring countries, including the Niger Republic, while ensuring that its territorial integrity is never compromised.
General Tiani’s claims come amid heightened tensions between the Niger Republic and neighbouring countries following the coup in Niger earlier this year.
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Regional politics and international involvement, including the presence of French forces in the region, have further complicated the dynamics.
The Nigerian government has firmly denied any collaboration with France to establish foreign military bases within its borders.
Meanwhile, the League of Northern Democrats (LND) has expressed grave concern over the allegations made by the President of Niger Republic.
A statement by its spokesman, Dr Ladan Salihu, on Sunday, noted that in a Hausa language video, which has gone viral, the Nigerien President accused France of complicity in funding and equipping Boko Haram and implicating prominent
Nigerian officials, including President Tinubu, former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General (DG) Ahmed Rufa’i, and the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.
The statement said notwithstanding the poor diplomatic relations between Niger on the 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.”
The LND added: “Considering the severe impact of Boko Haram’s 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 believe these accusations.
“We therefore respectfully call on the federal government, and Ahmed Rufa’i and Nuhu Ribadu, as esteemed northerners and public servants, 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.”
Additionally, the LND urged the National Assembly to as a matter of national concern immediately constitute an investigative committee to probe the claims thoroughly.
“This matter transcends diplomatic relations; it touches the core of our national security and collective future.
“A transparent investigation will not only address the concerns of our citizens but also demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to honest leadership, peace and the preservation of its security, sovereignty and integrity in the international arena,” the group declared.
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