Northern Democrats Faults FG’s Response To Niger Junta’s Allegations

The League of Northern Democrats has condemned the federal government’s response to allegations made by Nigerien junta leader, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, which it said lacked concrete evidence and failed to address the core issues.

Gen. Tchiani had accused Nigeria and France of colluding to destabilize Niger, a claim dismissed by the Federal Government as an attempt to blackmail Nigeria over the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) opposition to Niger’s unconstitutional seizure of power.

In a statement released on Friday, the League’s spokesperson, Dr. Ladan Salihu, called for transparency, stating that the government’s rebuttal fails to confront critical questions surrounding regional security.

“The sophisticated weaponry used by insurgents, the region’s historical context of foreign interference, and France’s notorious reputation for clandestine military incursions require a more robust approach.

Without addressing these comprehensively, the government’s denial risks being perceived as deflection,” Salihu said.

The league emphasised the need for answers to questions about the sources of insurgent funding and arms, and the steps being taken to dismantle international supply networks.

“Why is France repeatedly accused of backing insurgencies in the Sahel? What measures are in place to prevent external exploitation? These issues remain unanswered,” Salihu added.

The statement also criticised the federal government’s insistence that Nigeria has not hosted foreign military bases, arguing that this does not explain the presence of sophisticated weaponry in the hands of insurgents.

Furthermore, it questioned the government’s denial of a supposed terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State, citing persistent insurgent strongholds within the country’s borders.

While the government has highlighted joint development projects such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Kano-Maradi Railway as evidence of its commitment to regional stability, the League noted that these projects have faced delays attributed to insecurity.

“If Nigeria truly prioritizes these initiatives, why has it failed to address the root causes of arms proliferation and terrorist funding?” Salihu queried.

The League also called attention to France’s history of exploiting African resources through destabilization, stating that this context raises doubts about the government’s outright dismissal of Gen. Tchiani’s allegations.

“If Nigeria is committed to combating terrorism, it must explain how insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to acquire state-grade weapons and drones. The persistence of these crises suggests a lack of capacity or complicity,” the statement said.