The Democratic Front (TDF) has urged Nigerians to ignore attempts by the military ruler of the Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, to drag Nigeria into his country’s diplomatic altercation with France.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary Wale Adedayo, the group expressed concerns that the Niger leader accused Nigeria of sponsoring a terrorist group that is causing mayhem in Northern Nigeria with a view to causing anti-government sentiments.
TDF said: “We rebuff, in strongest terms, the allegations by Niger’s military leader Abdourahamane Tchiani that Nigeria was colluding with France to destabilize his country.
“Furthermore, his claim that Nigeria seeks to sabotage the Trans- Saharan gas pipeline and disrupt agriculture in Niger Republic is ridiculous and baseless. Because the gas pipeline was a Nigerian initiative, and besides, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had clearly displayed compassion and consideration for the economic livelihood of the people of Niger, when he led the ECOWAS in February 2024, to lift sanctions imposed on that country in the wake of the military coup that ousted the democratic government of Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
“We also note that President Bola Tinubu directed that the electricity supply of electricity to Niger which has been cut in response to the sanctions be restored, and the borders be opened for the people of Niger to survive.
“In addition to these humanitarian actions, the Nigerian President has continued to ensure proper funds for the Kano-Maradi railway project which the Niger people stand to benefit from.
“It is a fact that more than any other country in West Africa, Nigeria has committed more funds and human resources to regional peace, security and stability. Only recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the payment of Community levies for 2023 and 2024 up till June to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the tune of $53 million, to enhance its operations in consolidating regional peace, security and stability in the sub-region. This brings Nigeria’s contributions to ECOWAS and by extension West Africa in the last 16 years, to$1.177 billion.
“So we consider it rather absurd and irresponsible for Tchiani to accuse Nigeria of colluding with France to train and sponsor Lakurawa terrorists against his country, a member nation of ECOWAS, and a bonafide beneficiary of Nigeria’s support for the regional body.”
The pro-democracy group is convinced that Tchiani is simply out to use Nigeria as an excuse to divert attention from his inability to turn around the fortune of his people after overthrowing a legitimately elected government.
“Our contention is that Gen. Tchiani is simply exhibiting the traits of a desperate and sinking military dictator by making spurious allegations against Nigeria to distract the attention of his own people amid the serious economic woes his country is confronted with.
” So, Nigeria’s diplomatic relationship with France has become an excuse for his failure to better the lot of his countrymen and women as promised in his coup speech. He should therefore be disregarded.
“For us, Nigeria is a sovereign country that is at liberty to determine its bilateral relationship with any other country in the world just like the country had never interfered in Niger’s relationship with France all these years.
“Franco-Nigerian diplomatic relationship has come a long way, and holds enviable socio-economic promise for Nigeria, particularly after President Tinubu’s state visit. So we don’t think that Niger Republic can be a distraction to realizing the huge economic benefits of the thriving relationship between the two countries.
“In our view, the Nigerien leader should bear his own cross and leave Nigeria out of a personal issue that has no bearing on us as a country and as a people.
“Publicly available records have shown that his military coup has further pushed the Niger Republic into poverty and destitution. As a matter of fact, Niger is on the verge of a massive humanitarian disaster. Out of the 27.2 million population, it is confirmed that 2.312 million people have died of hunger since Gen. Tchiani’s military coup in July 2023, while 4,673,335, million people are currently threatened by acute hunger, destitution and insecurity. This is the biggest challenge currently confronting the military junta in Niger that should attract its attention, not shadow boxing,” the group added.
TDF also has a message for people in Northern Nigeria who may have been fooled to see President Tinubu as anti-North.
It said: “We therefore call on Nigeriens, and the elites in Northern Nigeria, to refrain from making statements that are capable of lending credence to the lies of the frustrated military despot of Niger Republic.
“The elites in the North should rally around President Tinubu in his drive to woo investors into the agricultural and mining sectors of the economy which will benefit the North immensely.
“Already, over $3 billion in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) have been attracted from Brazil into the livestock sub-sector to the advantage of northern livestock entrepreneurs.
“Similarly, the multi-billion dollar investments in mining, which is the crux of the current partnership between Nigeria and France, will amplify economic activities and opportunities in the region. Needless to say, peace and stability in the North will determine the success of these investments.”
TDF also urged media practitioners in Nigeria to interrogate issues like the ones raised by the Niger leader rather than helping to propagate falsehood.
Endtionship has come a long way and holds enviable socio-economic promise for Nigeria, particularly after President Tinubu’s state visit. So we don’t think that Niger Republic can be a distraction to realizing the huge economic benefits of the thriving relationship between the two countries.
“In our view, the Nigerien leader should bear his own cross and leave Nigeria out of a personal issue that has no bearing on us as a country and as a people.
“Publicly available records have shown that his military coup has further pushed the Niger Republic into poverty and destitution. As a matter of fact, Niger is on the verge of a massive humanitarian disaster. Out of the 27.2 million population, it is confirmed that 2.312 million people have died of hunger since Gen. Tchiani’s military coup in July 2023, while 4,673,335 million people are currently threatened by acute hunger, destitution, and insecurity. This is the biggest challenge currently confronting the military junta in Niger that should attract its attention, not shadow boxing,” the group added.
TDF also has a message for people in Northern Nigeria who may have been fooled to see President Tinubu as anti-North.
It said: “We therefore call on Nigeriens, and the elites in Northern Nigeria, to refrain from making statements that are capable of lending credence to the lies of the frustrated military despot of Niger Republic.
“The elites in the North should rally around President Tinubu in his drive to woo investors into the agricultural and mining sectors of the economy which will benefit the North immensely.
“Already, over $3 billion in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) have been attracted from Brazil into the livestock sub-sector to the advantage of northern livestock entrepreneurs.
“Similarly, the multi-billion dollar investments in mining, which is the crux of the current partnership between Nigeria and France, will amplify economic activities and opportunities in the region. Needless to say, peace and stability in the North will determine the success of these investments.”
TDF also urged media practitioners in Nigeria to interrogate issues like the ones raised by the Niger leader rather than helping to propagate falsehood.
