Following the false accusations of collusion with France levelled against Nigeria by the military dictator of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has come out to quash such claims, describing them as baseless.
Few days ago, a video went viral in Nigeria in which the junta leader alleged that Nigeria has given its former colonial master and ally, France a military base in Nigeria for the purpose of destabilising Niger Republic.
However, responding to the claims in a BBC Hausa interview, the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu pointed out that Nigeria has never given any foreign power any part of its territory to establish military base and would never do such.
Ribadu revealed that in the past, the United States had asked to be given a base in Nigeria and were outrightly rejected same with Nigeria’s former colonizer, Britain. He then remarked that if Nigeria could not give the United Kingdom any such opportunity in our country despite being our colonizer, why would it give France the same?
Nuhu Ribadu further stated that unlike Niger Republic who had allowed their territory to host several foreign military bases, Nigeria has not and will never do such.
On the allegations of Nigeria trying to destabilise its northern neighbour, Niger Republic, the NSA noted that Nigeria has been living peacefully with other neighboring countries including Chad, Benin, Cameroon and the likes and that there is no reason at all for Nigeria to cause any harm to Niger Republic.
Ribadu said that the Niger Republic military leader simply wants Nigeria not to have anything to do with France because it is now in bed with Russia but added that Nigeria will continue to speak to everyone that could contribute to its economy’s potential including Russia, USA, France, Brazil, etc.
He called on journalists across the world to go to the places mentioned by Niger military dictator to verify if truly there is any foreign military base there as claimed.
Ribadu concluded that Nigeria will continue to be a friend to the people of Niger Republic regardless of current situation.