The Federal Government has said that Nigeria was not involved in any military cooperation with France to destabilise Niger.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu stated this while speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa, on Friday.
Ribadu’s comment followed an allegation made by Niger’s military junta leader, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who accused Nigeria of allowing France to use its territory as a staging ground for destabilising Niger.
Ribadu innthe interview, dismissed the allegation, describing it as baseless and implausible, saying it was an attempt to strain relations between the two nations.
“We have always maintained peaceful relations with our neighbours, including Cameroon, Benin Republic, and Chad. Why would we suddenly have a reason to be in conflict with Niger? It simply doesn’t make sense,” NSA said.
Speaking further, Ribadu clarified that the country’s relationship with the European nation was strictly economic.
“Nigeria’s relationship with France is strictly economic and has no military implications”, he maintained.
Ribadu stated that it was unreasonable for Nigeria to sever ties with France over Niger’s internal disputes.
“Nigeria has no history of hosting foreign military bases. Even our former colonizer, the United Kingdom, has never established a base here. We have consistently resisted such attempts, including from the United States.
“In contrast, Niger has hosted foreign bases, including one by the U.S., which they recently expelled. Our relationship with France has always been about economic cooperation, not military collaboration. While Niger’s leadership may have issues with France, it is unreasonable to expect Nigeria to sever ties with France over Niger’s internal disputes.
“We will not allow our country to be used as a tool for destabilising Niger. We hope that Niger’s leadership will understand this and work with us as allies and brothers to ensure peace and stability in the region”, he said.
Ribadu noted that Nigeria was committed to peaceful coexistence with its neighbours, citing long-standing amicable relations with countries like Chad, Benin Republic, and Cameroon.
” We have always maintained peaceful relations with our neighbours, including Cameroon, Benin Republic, and Chad. Why would we suddenly have a reason to be in conflict with Niger? It simply doesn’t make sense,” NSA said.
