A Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has noted that desperate politicians in the country were behind the allegations by the military leader of Niger Republic, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming that Nigeria was colluding with France to destabilise his country.
However, in a statement on Friday by the convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, the group said the claims were the imagination and calculated moves by desperate politicians to frustrate President Bola Tinubu from giving Nigerians the much-needed dividends of democracy.
Arewa Think Tank argued that Nigeria had never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France or any other country to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilise the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country.
The statement read partly, “We are therefore warning desperate politicians not to mismanage our relationship with Niger Republic and cause acrimony between the two neighbouring countries. Nigeria has the history of living peacefully with the world, not to talk of living peacefully with its neighbours. 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.
“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.
“Arewa Think Tank strongly rejects allegations made in a viral video by the military leader of Niger Republic, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming non-existent collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilise his country.
“These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination, as Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France – or any other country – to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilise the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country.”
It read further, “It is on record that President Tinubu, as chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging the Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country.
“We believe that Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger. We are happy 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.
“We will continue to encourage Nigerian government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between the government and people of Nigeria and Niger Republic, and for their efforts towards stronger cooperation in the ECOWAS region.
“We know that Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil. This demonstrates our country’s commitment to national independence and regional leadership.”