The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has advised the federal government to be careful with France, especially in the area of any agreement on military matters.
CNG stated this on Friday during a press conference in Abuja.
In a statement by its national coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, it said the group is compelled by a deep sense of patriotic duty to alert Nigerians about the contemplated action taken recently by government in granting alleged permission to France to establish an expeditionary military base in the country.
This, the group also noted, is linked with reported case of bilateral agreement signed between Nigeria and France which gives that country unrestricted access to the nation’s mineral resources.
“Since the inception of this administration, Nigerians have been witnessing the open and behind-the-scenes diplomatic manoeuvrings orchestrated with the intention to surrender the sovereignty of our dear nation to France.
“It should not escape our memory that it was this same France that spearheaded the stiff resistance of some powerful western nations against the imminent take-off of the West African common currency.
“It smacks of belief that our country, Nigeria, which has a rich and proud record of championing the cause of the black people anywhere in the world and an undisputed leader of the African people, could suddenly stoop so low as to be ordered around in a manner reminiscent of the detestable behaviour of conquered people.
“It is therefore our firm resolve to use all constitutional and democratic means to resist any attempt to invite France or any other foreign power to establish a military base in any part of our beloved country,” the statement said.
CNG noted that Nigeria’s constitution has laid down procedures that must be strictly adhered to in handling sensitive matters such as this, saying currently not less than five former French speaking colonies made up of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Chad, all from West Africa, have expelled France from their country and revoked the agreement granting it permission to establish expeditionary military bases in their respective countries.
“We would like to reassure ourselves, that, our dear president is aware of insecurity ravaging the northern part of the country, characterised by armed banditry, insurgency, kidnappings, inter-ethnic/ communal clashes and youths restiveness; therefore cannot afford to undertake any policy that would undermine the ongoing efforts by our security forces to restore peace and stability in our dear fatherland,” he said.