Tinubu And Cacophony Of Falsehoods From The Dictator In Niamey
By Gidado Ibrahim
The head of military government in Niger Republic, Abdourahamane Tchiani, is fighting for survival. The drowning man has been throwing tantrums and looking for the last straw to hold. In one of such desperate bids, last week, he made a grave mistake by accusing Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of undermining the Niger Republic in favour of France.
The allegation that Nigeria is providing space for France to build a military base in order to attack Niger in Nigeria’s North East is not only baseless but also ignores the deep-seated historical, cultural, and geographical ties between Nigeria and Niger.
The good news is that nothing could be farther from the truth. After studying all the unethical video clips which went viral on the social media accusations, I quickly rushed to Niger Republic on a fact finding mission. In Niamey, I visited the interior command where I met with close associates and insiders of the top Tchani kitchen cabinet who told me in confidence that there is no threat from Nigeria. The said the allegations are basically unfounded as there are no visuals, audio, recording, photographs, and documentary evidence to that effect.
From my findings, it is clear that the allegations were part of a conspiracy to implicate Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) just to cause crisis for politicians to manipulate the electoral process ahead of 2027.
It is a failed attempt to reduce the support base of President Tinubu in a certain region. If not, why is it that the Hausa section of an international broadcast media quickly went to interview the NSA on the issue? If any journalists is seeking balanced reporting there are constitutionally designed sources to such independent information for bot print and broadcast media.
The relationship between the two countries is often described as “nose and eye,” meaning any major development in one country inevitably affects the other. They share a 1,608-kilometer border, which has fostered interactions and interdependencies in trade, security, and culture. The Hausa ethnic group, for instance, makes up over 54% of Niger’s population, while also being a prominent ethnic group in Nigeria. Similarly, other ethnic groups such as the Songhai, Tuareg, Fulani, and Kanuri are found in both countries, highlighting the cultural affinity between the two nations.
Nigeria and Niger have a long history of cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and security. They are both members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and have collaborated on various regional initiatives. In fact, Nigeria has been a key ally for Niger in the fight against terrorism and cross-border criminal activities. The two countries have also worked together to address common challenges such as poverty, climate change, and food insecurity.
Given these strong ties, it’s surprising that Tchiani would utter such a cacophony of conflicting provocative accusations from Niamey. The allegations are not only unfounded but also undermines the trust and cooperation that has existed between the two nations for decades. It’s clear that Tchiani’s government is facing significant challenges, including a legitimacy crisis following the military coup that brought him to power on July 26, 2023. However, making baseless accusations against Nigeria is not the solution to these problems.
Rather than making unfounded allegations, Tchiani’s government should focus on addressing the legitimate concerns surrounding its own legitimacy and work towards strengthening the bonds between Niger and Nigeria. The people of both countries deserve better than to have their relationship strained by unfounded allegations and political posturing. Nigeria has consistently demonstrated its commitment to regional cooperation and stability, and it’s time for Niger to reciprocate this commitment.
The accusations made by Tchiani against Tinubu are a misguided attempt to distract both nations and the international community from the real issues facing Niger Republic. Tchiani’s unpopular government should prioritise building trust and fostering cooperation with Nigeria, rather than resorting to baseless allegations and political gimmicks.
In retrospect, Nigeria has a long-standing history of contributing to international peacekeeping efforts, particularly through the United Nations (UN) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Despite recent allegations from the Nigerien military head of state, Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability and peace remains unwavering.
Nigeria’s involvement in UN peacekeeping operations dates back to the 1960s. Between 1960 and 2007, Nigerian armed forces participated in over 30 international peacekeeping missions, including 25 UN-led operations. These efforts demonstrate Nigeria’s dedication to maintaining global peace and security.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Nigeria played a pivotal role in ECOWAS, particularly through the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). ECOMOG was established in 1990 to intervene in the Liberian civil war, and Nigeria provided significant military and financial support to the mission.
Nigeria’s contributions to ECOMOG extended beyond Liberia, as the country also played a key role in restoring peace in Sierra Leone. In 1996, Nigerian forces helped facilitate the election of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, marking a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s transition to democracy.
Despite Nigeria’s proven track record of promoting regional stability, recent allegations from the Nigerien military head of state threaten to spark a diplomatic row. The allegations claim that President Tinubu is collaborating with France to build a military base in North East Nigeria, aimed at destabilizing Niger.
Such baseless accusations only serve to undermine the country’s efforts. Nigeria’s history of involvement in UN peacekeeping efforts and ECOWAS demonstrates the country’s unwavering commitment to promoting regional stability and peace. As a nation, Nigerians are wise to recognize the importance of their country’s contributions to international peacekeeping efforts and will continue to support these initiatives.
The Nigerien leader’s recent allegations against Tinubu seem like a desperate attempt to divert attention from his own unpopular government. By claiming that President Tinubu is supporting France in building a military base in Nigeria to destabilize Niger, he’s trying to rally his citizens against a perceived external threat.
The mischief maker who started trending a 2011 video to whip up political and ethnic sentiments is notorious for hatchet jobs. His actions are indeed raising eyebrows, and his alleged involvement with political bandits is a serious concern.
Tchiani’s cannot legitimise his illegitimate government. President Tinubu is a staunch democrat who will undoubtedly uphold the ECOWAS protocol that condemns unconstitutional change of government. As Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the region. He has urged ECOWAS member countries to ratify and fully implement the ECOWAS Protocol against Corruption, showcasing his dedication to eradicating corruption and promoting regional stability.
It’s clear that President Tinubu will not be swayed by baseless allegations or blackmail attempts. Instead, he will continue to champion the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability, as enshrined in the ECOWAS revised protocol. Tchiani’s actions will only serve to further undermine his own legitimacy, while President Tinubu’s commitment to democracy and regional stability will continue to earn him recognition and respect.
Let it be known to Tchiani and rogue impostors illegally occupying the seat of government in Niger that Nigeria has consistently demonstrated its capacity to play the big brother role in Africa, particularly since its independence. The country has a long history of coming to the aid of its neighbours in distress, and this should not be taken for granted.
The Nigerien leader would do well to remember that Nigeria’s subtle approach to regional diplomacy should not be mistaken for timidity. Nigeria possesses the capacity to deal with any situation that may arise, and its leaders have consistently shown that they will not hesitate to take action when necessary.
The country has also played a key role in promoting peace and security in the region, particularly through its contributions to regional peacekeeping efforts. In fact, Nigeria has been instrumental in helping its neighbors address various challenges, including security threats, economic instability, and humanitarian crises.
The country’s big brother role in the region is not limited to providing financial or military aid; it also involves providing technical assistance, capacity building, and diplomatic support. The Nigerien leader’s accusations against President Tinubu are not only unfounded but also ungrateful.
Nigerians love their president, likewise the ECOWAS community which is proud of Tinubu’s leadership, according investigations. Therefore, every attempt by Tchiani and his conspirators in Nigeria to demarket President Tinubu ahead of the next election will fall like pack of cards. The president’s stewardship exemplified in the manner in which he is transforming Nigeria into a big economy will definitely earn him a second term come 2027.