By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has blasted the Nigerien Military Head of State, Abdourahamane Tchiani, over his allegation against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and his government, saying that Nigeria does not need France or any terrorist organisation to destabilise Niger Republic if Nigeria wanted to do so.
Precise Post recalls that Fani-Kayode’s outburst is coming against the backdrop of remarks by the Gen. Tchiani during an interview on Christmas Day, accusing France of allying with militant groups in the Lake Chad region to undermine Niger’s security, allegedly with Nigeria’s knowledge.
“Nigerian authorities are not unaware of this underhanded move,” Gen Tchiani was quoted as saying
Fani-Kayode further reminded that he has maintained that the western powers are behind the terrorist groups that have plagued the West African sub region over the last 15 years and for the last ten years I have publicly stated this and given my reasons.
He continued: “I am equally certain that Nigeria, being one of the major victims of these terrorist organisations, has had no part in it and that no Nigerian President, past or present, has indulged in such grave and dangerous actions”.
“The Nigerien Military Head of State, Abdourahamane Tchiani, would do well to be careful not to provoke our wrath with his absurd assertions and remain mindful of the fact that the defence budget for his country, Mali and Burkina Faso COMBINED is not up to 25% of Nigeria’s.”
“Tchiani’s grave allegations that President Tinubu and NSA Nuhu Ribadu have been bought by the French to destabilise Niger Republic, that our Government is jointly sponsoring a terrorist group with France to do same and that there are French military bases in Nigeria are infantile, puerile, mendacious and asinine.”
“It is a squalid attempt by the Nigerien Head of State to sow the seeds of dissention in our country, to alienate our people from constituted authority, to divide our people and to undermine the Tinubu administration.”
“It is also highly provocative and the FG should consider the possibility of taking other more extreeme measures if this reckless provocation continues.”
“We are under no obligation to show restraint when we are being undermined and maligned.”
In his reaction also the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu yesterday stressed that there was no foreign military base in Nigeria, pointing out that the country had recently refused an attempt by the United States to set up a base (AFRICOM) within its borders.
He also said Nigeria would not severe its diplomatic ties with France over the Republic of Niger’s internal squabble with its erstwhile colonial master, adding that the country would also maintain diplomatic relations with Russia, the US, United Kingdom, China, and other countries in the world.
Similarly weighing in on the matter, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rubbished the claim by the Nigerien military junta that Nigeria and some other countries were sponsoring destabilisation of Niger, insisting that it was unfounded.
