The Presidency has dismissed accusations by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, that President Bola Tinubu was collaborating with France to destabilise his country.
The special adviser to the president on policy communication, Daniel Bwala, described the claims as baseless and divisive in a video shared on his verified X account.
“The choice of language used by the military leader of Niger is quite instructive of what his intentions are, probably in cahoots with politicians in Nigeria, you never know, but the whole idea is to create chaos and bad blood in the northern Nigeria against the president,” Bwala said yesterday.
He dismissed the allegations as propaganda aimed at deflecting attention from General Tchiani’s challenges in governing Niger.
“The honeymoon is over; he has not been able to address the economic situation in his country.
Everything is turning against him, and in a desperate gasp for breath, he decided to resort to cheap lies and propaganda against Nigeria,” he stated.
Highlighting Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa, Bwala emphasised the country’s dedication to fostering regional stability.
“Over the years, Nigeria has maintained its leadership in the West African sub-region… We have been of tremendous help to our neighboring countries,” he added.
Bwala also refuted claims that Nigeria had provided land for any foreign military base.
“Nigeria is a nation that has its own capacity to protect its citizens. We are well capable and able to safeguard our country, and we’re doing it in this administration,” he affirmed.
He urged Nigerians to disregard General Tchiani’s remarks, labelling them as false and inflammatory.
“It is lies, and he chose a local language in the North because he wants to rile up the North against the President. I don’t think any politician in Nigeria who has absolute interest in the national interest and security of Nigeria will ever take part in that kind of negative rhetoric,” Bwala asserted.
Bwala concluded by characterising the accusations as evidence of General Tchiani’s inability to govern effectively.
“It is becoming clear that the honeymoon he had with his people is over. He probably doesn’t have a plan for his people and has resorted to that cheap blackmail. It is false, and nobody should take him seriously,” he said.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had also dismissed the Nigerien leader’s allegations as unfounded.
Meanwhile, Nigerians resident in border towns between Nigeria and Niger Republic have also debunked the allegations against the country by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Tchiani in a viral interview shared on social media had alleged that Nigeria was funding a terrorist group and working with France to destablise Niger Republic.
Alhaji Garba Yusuf, the Seriki Arewa, Araba, described the allegations as not only lacking substance, but a failed attempt to rupture peaceful coexistence.
Araba, is a bustling community bordering Niger Republic, under Illela local government, in Sokoto State.
According to the traditional ruler, in the area of security, Niger Republic military assists vigilantes in maintaining security within Araba and other border communities.
“We are living in peace with our neighbours at the Niger Republic end. Our vigilantes maintain synergy with their military in sustaining security of lives and property along the border.
“This collaboration has helped in keeping bandits away from our domain. When there is a working relationship to check banditry between our vigilantes and Niger Republic army, I wonder how someone in his right sense would allege that Nigeria is harbouring bandits for sinister motives.
“Culturally, economically, and in religion, we are closely related from the days of our forbearers. Anything that affects us, concerns us, concerns them, and vice versa,” he said.
Hassan Tabani of Tabani Siddi village in Gada local government, another border community between Sokoto and Nigeria Republic, pointed out that much lessons had been learnt throughout the period of border closure between Nigeria and Niger Republic during the ECOWAS sanctions on Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali.
An inter-border trader, Hassan, reacting to possible backlash on General Tchiani, remarked thus, “As a family head whose livelihood depends on inter-border trade, I never pray for any altercation between Nigeria and Niger Republic again.
“Though, lessons on survival strategies have been learnt during the border sanctions on Niger Republic by ECOWAS, a large percentage of their trade and economy depends on Nigeria.
“Tchiani made a reckless and unsubstantiated allegation. I am sure good reasoning will prevail and Nigeria will continue to play it big brother role in Africa.”
Adding his voice, Dr Murtala Ahmed Rufai of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, described Tchiani allegations as, “serious but, unfounded because Nigeria and Niger Republic have historical relationship as communities along the border are inter-related.”
“I don’t think Nigeria as a democratic nation will support establishing a terrorist camp before, we start to talk of military camp/base.
“It is not of logical reasoning that the establishment of Lakurawa which has been in existence for over eight years before the coming of the Tchiani military junta is aimed to disabilise Niger Republic.
“Recent findings showed that Nigeriens are not happy with him but, due to numerous censorship, they cannot voice out their displeasure against him.”