Countrymen Blast Niger Republic President Over Attack On Tinubu, Nigeria

Nigerien President Abdourahmane Tchiani has come under heavy criticism domestically after accusing Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu of conspiring with France to destabilize his country.
In a Christmas Day address, Tchiani alleged that Nigeria allowed French troops to operate near Lake Chad and set up terrorist training camps in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.

The Nigerian government dismissed these accusations, with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Presidential Adviser Daniel Bwala labeling them baseless. On social media, many Nigeriens mocked Tchiani’s claims, accusing him of shifting blame for his government’s failures. Some argued that he was deflecting attention from his inability to deliver on promises made after ousting President Mohamed Bazoum in a 2022 coup.

A critic, Maidalili Namu, accused Tchiani of spreading misinformation and fostering hostility with neighboring countries. Speaking on a podcast, Namu said, “You’ve been in power for 17 months, confined to your villa, fed falsehoods, and unable to stabilize the country.” He also mocked Tchiani’s Christmas address, claiming it repeated unfounded allegations against France, ECOWAS, and Nigeria.

Another commentator, Hamid Ahmadu, criticized Tchiani’s lack of action despite alleging precise knowledge of terrorist camps. He said Tchiani’s statements revealed a poor grasp of regional issues, highlighting his mistaken reference to Tanzania as a conspirator. Many Nigeriens urged the president to focus on pressing issues such as insecurity, economic challenges, and humanitarian crises, which have worsened under his rule.

Defense expert Zagazola Makama also debunked Tchiani’s claims, asserting that there is no evidence of a French military base in Borno State. “The areas mentioned are ISWAP strongholds with no signs of foreign military presence,” he said. He added that attributing local terrorist activities to external forces oversimplified the complex situation in the region.

Ribadu, speaking on BBC Hausa, questioned the logic of the allegations. “Nigeria has never allowed foreign troops on its soil. Even during colonial times, we resisted such moves,” he said. Ribadu urged Niger to focus on regional cooperation, stating, “Our shared enemy is terrorism, not each other.”

Bwala, meanwhile, described Tchiani’s remarks as propaganda aimed at inciting northern Nigerians against President Bola Tinubu. “This is cheap blackmail to distract from his failures,” Bwala said. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in West Africa and denied providing land for foreign military bases, calling the claims false and divisive.

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) blamed Nigerian politicians for fueling tensions. ATT convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu accused them of collaborating with foreign actors to undermine Tinubu’s government. He warned against destabilizing Nigeria for political gain, emphasizing the need for peace and development.

However, the League of Northern Democrats (LND) criticized the government’s response, arguing that France’s history in Africa raised questions about its alleged involvement. LND spokesman Dr. Ladan Salihu called for greater transparency, asking how terrorist groups in Nigeria continue to access advanced weapons despite the government’s claims of commitment to fighting terrorism.

Amid these tensions, ECOWAS defended Nigeria, rejecting Tchiani’s accusations as baseless and politically motivated. Nigerian ministers reaffirmed the country’s dedication to peace and cooperation in the region, emphasizing that it would not be blackmailed into abandoning its democratic principles.

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