Nigerian leader’s allegations against Nigeria: Antics of a desperate dictator – TDF

DDM News

The Democratic Front (TDF) has firmly rejected the accusations made by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger, who claimed that Nigeria was attempting to destabilize his country.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered In a strongly worded statement signed by Malam Danjuma Muhammad, the Chairman of the group, and Chief Wale Adedayo, the Secretary, the TDF called on Nigerians to disregard the unfounded allegations made by the Nigerien leader.

According to Tchiani, Nigeria was collaborating with France to destabilize Niger, a claim that the TDF categorically dismissed as baseless and politically motivated.

The group expressed deep concern over Tchiani’s remarks, which they described as a desperate attempt to divert attention from the ongoing issues in Niger under his military regime.

The controversy erupted when Tchiani accused Nigeria of supporting terrorist groups in northern Niger, allegedly causing havoc in the region.

He also claimed that Nigeria was plotting to sabotage the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline, a vital project for both Niger and Nigeria.

The TDF quickly refuted these allegations, emphasizing that the Trans-Saharan pipeline was actually a Nigerian initiative, and therefore, Tchiani’s claim that Nigeria was involved in any attempt to destroy it was both absurd and unfounded.

The group pointed out that these accusations seemed to be part of a broader narrative intended to paint Nigeria as an enemy of Niger, despite the significant efforts Nigeria has made in supporting Niger’s development and stability.

The TDF also reminded the public that President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria had consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering peace and cooperation with Niger.

In February 2024, President Tinubu led the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in lifting sanctions that had been imposed on Niger following the military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.

These sanctions had severely impacted the country’s economy, but under Tinubu’s leadership, ECOWAS moved to ease the restrictions, which was a significant gesture aimed at helping Niger recover from the political turmoil caused by the coup.

Furthermore, the TDF highlighted that Tinubu had personally intervened to restore electricity supply to Niger, which had been cut as part of the sanctions, and had also ordered the reopening of borders to allow the free movement of people and goods.

These actions were part of Nigeria’s broader effort to support the Nigerien people during a time of political crisis.

The TDF emphasized that Nigeria had gone above and beyond in assisting its neighbor, and such support included the ongoing funding of critical infrastructure projects like the Kano-Maradi railway, which directly benefits the people of Niger.

The group also pointed out that Nigeria has been one of the biggest contributors to regional peace and security in West Africa.

It cited Nigeria’s substantial financial and logistical support for ECOWAS, which has been at the forefront of peacekeeping efforts in the region.

President Tinubu recently approved a $53 million payment to ECOWAS for the 2023–2024 period, which adds to Nigeria’s overall contribution of over $1.1 billion to the organization over the past 16 years.

Given Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability, the TDF found it ludicrous that Tchiani would accuse Nigeria of conspiring with France to train and sponsor terrorist groups in Niger, particularly when Nigeria had made so many sacrifices to help stabilize the region.

The TDF expressed its belief that Tchiani’s accusations were an attempt to deflect attention from his own failures as the leader of Niger, which has been struggling under military rule since the coup.

The group argued that Tchiani was using these baseless allegations against Nigeria as a tactic to shift blame for his inability to improve the situation in Niger.

His military government, which seized power in 2023, had promised to address the country’s problems, but according to the TDF, it has instead been marked by political instability, economic decline, and a deteriorating security situation.

The group suggested that Tchiani was simply employing the typical tactics of a desperate military dictator, using external scapegoats to distract from his own shortcomings.

Furthermore, the TDF criticized Tchiani for attempting to use Nigeria as a convenient excuse for his own failures.

They contended that his regime was failing to meet the needs and aspirations of the Nigerien people, and that accusing Nigeria of causing problems in Niger was an attempt to avoid accountability.

The TDF pointed out that the Nigerien leader had promised to improve the lives of his people, but instead, the country was dealing with worsening political and economic conditions.

By making unfounded claims against Nigeria, Tchiani was, in the TDF’s view, attempting to deflect criticism of his leadership and shift the blame onto Nigeria, which had been nothing but a friend and ally to Niger.

The group also took issue with Tchiani’s broader criticism of Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with France.

They argued that, as a sovereign nation, Nigeria had every right to pursue its own foreign policy and establish relationships with any country it deemed fit.

The TDF emphasized that Nigeria had never interfered in Niger’s diplomatic relations with France or any other country, and that accusing Nigeria of doing so was not only irresponsible but also hypocritical.

The TDF stressed that Niger should be focusing on resolving its own internal problems, rather than using external conflicts to distract from its own governance issues.

The TDF called on Nigerians to disregard the accusations made by Tchiani, asserting that they were part of a wider strategy to distract from his government’s failures.

They urged the people of Niger to recognize that the real issues facing their country lay with their own leadership, not with Nigeria.

The TDF called for a renewed focus on regional cooperation and peace, rather than allowing misguided accusations to undermine the positive relationship between Nigeria and Niger.

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