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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
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, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming that Nigeria was colluding with France to destabilize his country.
However, in a statement on Friday by the Convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu 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 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.
“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 starting doing what they want to do for electioneering campaign.
“For now, we want peace in the country so that we can enjoy dividends of democracy. These desperate politicians should allow President Tinubu to govern well. If they have issues with him, they should meet him for amicable settlement, but not to rock the boat. They should not show their desperation to destabilise the country because there must be a country before anybody can govern.
“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, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming non-existent collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilize 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 destabilize the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country.
“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 Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country.
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“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.
“As a group committed to peace and unity of our country, Arewa Think Tank knows that no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic.
“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.
“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.
“We also see it as handiworks of desperate politicians 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.
“Arewa Think Tank will continue to support Nigeria in order for her to remain committed to fostering regional stability and 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 mischievously spread by these desperate politicians”. The statement said.
