Niger’s President Abdourahmane Tchiani is facing a backlash of criticism from his fellow countrymen following his recent allegation of a conspiracy by Nigeria against his country.
Tchiani in a Christmas Day interview claimed, among other things, that Nigeria had provided a base for French soldiers near Lake Chad had established training camps for terrorists in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states, all aimed at destabilising Niger.
The Federal Government has dismissed the allegations as baseless, with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, being the latest government official to debunk the claims.
Many Nigerien citizens reacting on social media to Tchiani’s claims against Nigeria say there is no credibility whatsoever in the allegations.
Some of them are of the view that the Nigerien leader was only looking for an excuse to hang his failure in office on after 17months of ousting his predecessor, Mohamed Bazoum, in a palace coup.
One Nigerien critic even alleged that loyalists of the Niamey military regime are under instruction to spread falsehood that France in collaboration with Nigeria and other neighbouring countries plans to invade Niger.
A Nigerien commentator, Maidalili Namu, spoke of alleged frustration of the Tchiani regime to stabilise the country as they promised to do after deposing Bazoum.
Namu claimed on Muduba Mugani podcast that the country is being ruined by those he branded 16 generals.
“You have been in power for 17 months, confined to the villa and fed with false information that clouds your judgment,” PR Nigeria quoted Namu as saying of Tchiani in a video recording.
Namu also accused the Nigerien strongman of fostering animosity both regionally and internationally, sowing seeds of discord with Niger’s neighbors and other nations.
He said: “When it was announced that you would address the nation at 8 pm on December 25, 2024, in Hausa, Zabarma and French, the prevailing rumour was that your speech would lack originality, filled only with the usual condemnation of France, ECOWAS, Nigeria and others as our adversaries.
“Some even wagered that they would give goats or cash if you didn’t mention France in your address.
“Nigeriens are fed up with your repetitive statements that yield no progress.
“What is most frustrating is that you vindicated their predictions. Some even began to tally how many times you mentioned France, Nigeria and ECOWAS, suggesting they are conspiring to destabilise Niger.
“You have accused numerous countries, both within and outside Africa, of undermining Niger, leading some to question your mental fitness for leadership.
“Your diplomatic failures are evident. You have insulted numerous leaders from various countries, implicating at least 20 nations in a conspiracy against Niger, many of whom we have no direct relations with.
“The real issues affecting Nigeriens—economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, fuel scarcity and the rising cost of living—were overlooked.
“Instead, we heard the same old narrative of external threats and unfounded claims of terrorist camps supervised by the French.
“You asserted that camps have been established for training terrorists in Burkina Faso and Niger—concluding that by the end of 2024, at least 400 terrorists will be trained under French supervision.
“If you possess accurate information about these camps, why do you not coordinate efforts to dismantle them instead of using this information merely as a talking point?
“You must recognise that none of the leaders you’ve insulted have retaliated; you have disparaged leaders from countries like Tanzania, Mauritania, Chad and others. If your assertions hold any truth, how can we possibly survive more than 24 hours amidst the threats you mention?
Namu accused the President of disregarding humanitarian crises in the country, including flooding and the displacement of thousands of Nigeriens due to terrorism.
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Citing data, Namu highlighted that 4,673,335 people currently face hardships, while 2,312 lives have been lost to terrorist attacks since the coup.
Another popular Nigerien commentator, Hamid Ahmadu, said Tchiani’s statements lacked logic, and cited his reference to Tanzania in East Africa as an example of his lack of understanding of geography.
Like Namu, Ahmadu wondered why Tchiani failed to take action against the terrorist hubs he claimed were set up to destabilise the country despite having intelligence of their precise locations.
Some other citizens called for accountability, transparency and a return to governance that prioritises Niger’s development and security.
Nigerian defence expert Zagazola reported on his X handle @ZagazOlaMakama yesterday of an alleged WhatsApp message purportedly originating from the Nigerien military authorities.
The message, shared in a group with military personnel loyal to the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) allegedly outlines instructions to boost support for the junta by spreading claims that France, in connivance with neighboring countries like Nigeria, is planning an attack on Niger.
The message allegedly says: “Go support the CNSP on social networks and audio. Heat up the Facebook. You sleep too much; we feel discouraged. This is not the time.
“Need to make a budget; we have a meeting with the 5 gallon and the gegene. The instruction showed the Pekin population that they want to attack us. Turn on the radio badass.”
No trace of French military base in Borno, says Zagazola
Zagazola, who is embedded in Nigeria’s North East, also reported yesterday that there is no trace of any French military base anywhere in Borno State, contrary to claims by Tchiani.
He said: “The assertion that French forces are operating in areas like Kurnawa, Kangarwa and Dogon Chikun is unfounded. These regions are known to be occupied by ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) terrorists, who have been actively terrorising local populations.”
He said these areas regularly witness clashes between ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters, and there is “no credible evidence supporting the presence of foreign military forces.”
He said none of his well-connected sources even in the terrorist camps could confirm Tchiani’s allegations, adding:”The Governor of Borno State is a man of integrity and will not allow such to happen under his state without raising an alarm.”
Continuing, he said: “Claims that local populations in Monguno and Baga are being recruited into terrorism with the knowledge of Nigerian authorities are misleading.
“While there may be concerns about recruitment into militant groups by the terrorists themselves, attributing this to foreign military involvement lacks substantiation.
“Local dynamics and the influence of terror groups are complex and cannot be oversimplified by suggesting that external forces are responsible.
The areas mentioned by the Nigerien President are currently facing severe environmental challenges, including heavy flooding and insect infestations, which make them largely uninhabitable.
“These conditions further complicate any claims of a stable military presence or recruitment activities in these locations.”
If Nigeria refused England military base, why allow France? — Ribadu
In a fresh perspective on Nigeria’s reaction to the allegation from Niamey, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday wondered how anyone could claim at this period that Nigeria has offered France a military base.
“Even during colonial times, Nigeria resisted foreign troops within its borders, unlike Niger, which accepted them. Why would we change our stance now?” Ribadu said on the Hausa Service of BBC yesterday.
He asked Tchiani and his men to address their grievances with France without dragging Nigeria in.
Nigeria, he said, was more interested in regional unity and cooperation over foreign interference.
“Our shared enemy is terrorism, not each other. We must work together to secure our communities and resist external interference,” Ribadu stated.
Niger’s allegations intended to cause chaos in northern Nigeria – Bwala
In a separate reaction yesterday, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, described the Niger allegations as baseless propaganda designed to create chaos and incite bad blood in northern Nigeria against President Bola Tinubu.
“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 in a video message posted on his verified X account.
He added: “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 emphasised Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role in West Africa and its commitment to fostering bilateral relations with neighbouring countries.
“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.
Addressing the allegations directly, Bwala categorically denied that Nigeria had ever provided land for a 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 Tchiani’s claims, labeling them as false and divisive.
“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 called Tchiani’s comments a reflection of his regime’s failure 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.
Information and Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris and Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar had earlier on Thursday denied the Niger accusations.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on the same day, rose in defence of Nigerian over the allegation.
The two ministers declared that any attempt to blackmail it over ECOWAS’ principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in the Niger Republic was both disingenuous and doomed to fail.
Desperate politicians dragging Nigeria into acrimony with Niger – Arewa Think Tank
The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) said desperate politicians in the country engineered the allegations against Nigeria by General Tchiani.
The Convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, said the claims were calculated moves by such politicians to frustrate President Bola Tinubu from giving Nigerians the much needed dividends of democracy.
Arewa Think Tank argued that Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France or any other country to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilise Niger Republic.
Nigeria, it said, has a “history of living peacefully with the world” especially its neighbours.
It said: “The election has come and gone, it is time for governance. Politicians should wait until the whistle is blown for another election before they start doing what they want to do for electioneering campaign.
“For now, we want peace in the country so that we can enjoy dividends of democracy.
“These desperate politicians should allow President Tinubu to govern well.
“If they have issues with him, they should meet him for an amicable settlement, but not to rock the boat.
“They should not show their desperation to destabilise the country, because there must be a country before anybody can govern.
“Desperate politicians should not collaborate with foreign enemies to destroy this great country.
“They have been trying to destroy this great country for a long time. We won’t allow them to do it.
“By God’s grace they will not succeed. Tinubu will succeed.
Your response not good enough, Northern Democrats tells FG
However, the League of Northern Democrats (LND) said the response of the federal government to the allegations was not good enough.
Its spokesman, Dr. Ladan Salihu, said: “A critical analysis of the government’s denial and its supporting arguments reveals significant gaps in logic and veracity.
“The government categorically denies colluding with France to destabilise Niger. However, France’s track record in Africa – supporting insurgencies and covert operations to secure resources – casts doubt on this outright dismissal.
“If Nigeria is fully committed to combating terrorism, as claimed, the government must explain how insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to acquire sophisticated weapons, including drones, which are typically accessible only through state-sponsored channels or illicit global arms networks.
“Who are the actors facilitating these supplies and why has the government failed to curtail these supply lines for nearly two decades?”
League of Northern Democrats added that the assertion that President Tinubu has demonstrated exemplary leadership as ECOWAS Chairman is contradicted by the deepening tensions among ECOWAS member states; where five states have severed ties with France, leading to three states leaving the regional body.
