The Federal Government of Nigeria, on Thursday, said it strongly rejects allegations made in a viral video by Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger Republic, claiming non-existent collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilise his country.
BusinessDay reports that Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, in his reaction to the allegations, said the claims exist solely in the realm of imagination.
Nigeria’s relationship with Niger Republic has been sour since July 2023, when the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), chaired by President Bola Tinubu, gave Niger’s coup leaders one week to return the country to democratic rule or face possible military intervention, following the coup that removed former President Mohamed Bazoum.
The crisis began after Niger’s democratically elected president was toppled by members of his presidential guard. Before the political crisis, Nigeria had been a major ally of the Niger Republic, a country with a population estimated at 20.67 million.
Nigeria and Niger also share a strong socioeconomic relationship with seven out of the 19 states in the Northern part of Nigeria sharing boundaries with Niger Republic.
The Nigerian government reminded Niger Republic leaders that the country “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.”
Idris noted that President Bola 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. Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger.
He noted that 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.