The Nigerian Presidency has strongly condemned the allegations made by Niger’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, calling them false and baseless.
Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, described Tchiani’s claims as part of a deliberate attempt to spread propaganda and stir unrest.
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Tchiani, in an interview, accused Nigeria of colluding with France to destabilise Niger, alleging that the two countries were working together to support terrorist activities in the region. He further claimed that France had paid Nigeria to host a military base, a statement that Bwala swiftly rejected.
According to Bwala, the accusations were a desperate attempt by Tchiani to divert attention from Niger’s ongoing economic and political struggles. “These allegations are nothing more than lies and a clear attempt to manipulate public opinion,” Bwala said. “Tchiani is using false narratives to create division, particularly targeting Northern Nigeria by fueling tensions through the use of the Hausa language.”
Bwala also emphasized that Tchiani’s remarks were aimed at inciting hostility against President Tinubu and destabilizing the region. He argued that the Nigerien leader’s inability to address his country’s pressing issues had led him to resort to spreading unfounded claims in an effort to distract the population from the challenges facing his government.
The Nigerian government, through Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, has also dismissed the allegations as “unfounded and baseless,” reinforcing Bwala’s statement that these claims are an attempt to undermine Nigeria’s leadership.
Bwala concluded by stressing that such divisive propaganda would not succeed in sowing discord between the two countries. He reiterated that the Nigerian government remained committed to regional stability and would not be distracted by false accusations.
