The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has accused desperate politicians of orchestrating allegations made by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, that Nigeria is colluding with France to destabilize his country.
In a statement issued on Friday, ATT Convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu dismissed the claims as baseless fabrications aimed at undermining President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
The group maintained that Nigeria has never engaged in any covert or overt alliance with France or any other nation to support terrorism or destabilize Niger Republic, particularly following the recent unconstitutional change in leadership in the neighboring 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.
“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,” ATT said.
