The Nigerian government through the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu has countered allegations by the Niger military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.
Tchiani had alleged the President Bola Tinubu led government of several activities including collaborating with France to destabilise Niger.
He also made severe claims, including that France had offered financial incentives to Tinubu in exchange for allowing French military forces to be deployed in Borno State, Nigeria.
Debunking the claims, Ribadu in an interview with BBC Hausa stated that Nigeria is living peacefully with other neighboring countries, hence no reason why it should harm Niger Republic.
Ribadu also revealed that the United States of America (USA) has asked to be given a base in Nigeria but were outrightly rejected.
Excerpts from the interview which was in Hausa language was revealed in a post by President Tinubu’s Media Aide, Dada Olusegun, on Friday, December 27.
He wrote: “Nigeria is living peacefully with other neighboring countries including Chad, Benin, Cameroon and the likes. There is no reason at all for us to cause any harm to Niger Republic.
“The USA has asked to be given a base in Nigeria and were outrightly rejected.
“If Nigeria could not give the United Kingdom any such opportunity in our country despite being our colonizer, why give France the same?
“Niger President wants Nigeria not to have anything to do with France because it is now in bed with Russia but Nigeria will continue to speak to everyone that could contribute to its economy’s potential including Russia, USA, France, Brazil, etc.
“Journalists across the world should go to places mentioned by Niger President to verify if truly there is any foreign military base there as claimed.
“Unlike Niger who had given their base to several foreign military bases, Nigeria has not and will never do such.
“Nigeria will continue to be a friend to the people of Niger Republic regardless of current situation.”
Source: The nation
