The League of Northern Democrats (LND) says the response of the Federal Government to the accusations by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, that the Federal Government is colluding with France to destabilise his country is not good enough.
According to LND, the government’s response only raises more questions than it answers, especially in the context of France’s well-documented history of destabilising regions to secure access to natural resources.
In a statement by its spokesman, Dr. Ladan Salihu, the group noted that a critical analysis of the government’s denial and its supporting arguments reveals significant gaps in logic and veracity.
Recall that on Thursday, the Federal Government strongly rejected the allegations made in a viral video by Tchiani, insisting there was no collusion between Nigeria and France to ddestabilise Niger.
“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 destabilize the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country,” said Nigeria’s minister of Information, Mohammed Idris.
According to the minister, President Bola Ahmed 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.
“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.
“Neither the Nigerian government nor any of its officials has ever been involved in arming or supporting any terror group to attack Niger Republic. Furthermore, no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic. We reiterate our full support to senior Nigerian government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between the government and people of Nigeria and Niger, and for their efforts towards stronger cooperation in the ECOWAS region.
“Indeed, Nigeria has a long-standing tradition of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Unlike some nations, Nigeria has never permitted foreign powers to establish military bases on its soil. This demonstrates our commitment to national independence and regional leadership.
“The accusation that Nigeria seeks to sabotage Niger’s pipelines and agriculture is both unfounded and counterproductive. Nigeria has consistently supported Niger’s economic development through joint energy and infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway Project. It is illogical to suggest that Nigeria would undermine initiatives it has actively promoted.
“The claims about the alleged establishment of a so-called Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, purportedly orchestrated by Nigeria in collaboration with France, are baseless. Nigeria has been a regional leader in combating terrorism, dedicating significant resources and lives to ensure stability in the Lake Chad Basin and beyond,” Mr Idris said.
The minister added that the Nigerian military y recentllaunched Operation Forest Sanity III, specifically addressing the Lakurawa threat, Code Named Operation Chase Lakurawa Out.
“How can a government actively fighting the Lakurawa menace now be accused of harbouring the same group within its borders? These accusations lack credible evidence and seem to be part of a broader attempt to deflect attention from Niger’s internal challenges.
“The public is urged to disregard these false allegations. Those making such claims, particularly the Military Leader in Niger Republic, must provide credible evidence to substantiate them. Any attempt to blackmail Nigeria over ECOWAS’s principled stance against the unconstitutional seizure of power in the Niger Republic is both disingenuous and doomed to fail.
“In conclusion, President Tchiani’s allegations are not only unfounded but also a dangerous attempt to divert attention from his administration’s shortcomings. Nigeria remains committed to fostering regional stability and will continue to lead efforts to address terrorism and other transnational challenges. We urge Niger to focus on constructive dialogue and collaboration rather than peddling baseless accusations,” Mr Idris added.
But the LND in its latest statement said: “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?
“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. Nigeria’s support for ECOWAS sanctions and even military invasion against Niger following the military coup undermines this claim of fostering peace. These sanctions have exacerbated the suffering of ordinary Nigeriens and strained bilateral relations, indicating a misalignment between rhetoric and actions. In fact, but for the refusal of the EU and the international community, President Tinubu had openly called for military invasion of Niger, fully backed by France.
“While the government emphasizes its refusal to host foreign military bases, this point does not address the central issue: the presence of highly sophisticated weaponry in the hands of insurgents! The claim that Nigeria safeguards its sovereignty does not explain how international arms and funding networks continue to fuel terrorism within its borders. If Nigeria is indeed independent in its security operations, why has it been unable to intercept these networks or identify their sources?
“The government highlights joint projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Kano-Maradi Railway as evidence of its commitment to Niger’s development. However, these projects have faced delays and controversies, often attributed to instability in the region. If Nigeria truly prioritises these initiatives, its inability to address the root causes of regional insecurity – such as arms proliferation and terrorist funding – calls into question its sincerity.
” The government’s denial of the existence of a “Lakurawa terrorist headquarters” in Sokoto State is undermined by the documented presence of insurgent strongholds within Nigeria’s borders. While Operation Forest Sanity III is cited as a countermeasure, such initiatives have yet to produce lasting results. The persistence of terrorism suggests either a lack of capacity or complicity, and dismissing these allegations without transparency only fuels skepticism.
“On the whole, it is the considered view of the League of Northern Democrats that the Federal Government’s response, while rhetorically strong, lacks concrete evidence and fails to address the core issues raised by Niger’s leader. The notorious reputation of France’s clandestine military incursions in destabilising regions for its selfish interests, the long ongoing insurgency in Northern Nigeria, the sophisticated weaponry used by the insurgents and the region’s historical context of foreign interference all require a more robust and transparent approach. Instead of outright dismissals, the government must provide credible answers to fundamental questions: Why is France accused to be behind all the insurgencies in the Sahel? Who supplies weapons and funds to the insurgents? How are these networks being dismantled? What measures are in place to prevent external exploitation? Without addressing these issues comprehensively, the government’s denial risks being seen as deflection rather than a genuine commitment to resolving the crises.”
