Nigerien President Abdourahmane Tchiani is under fire from his own citizens following allegations that Nigeria is conspiring with France to destabilize his country. In a controversial Christmas Day address, Tchiani claimed that Nigeria had permitted French military bases near Lake Chad and established terrorist training camps in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.
The Federal Government of Nigeria dismissed the accusations as baseless, with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Special Adviser on Policy Communication Daniel Bwala labeling the claims as false and divisive.
Nigerien citizens have taken to social media to criticize Tchiani, accusing him of deflecting blame for his administration’s failures. Some believe the allegations are an attempt to mask the challenges the junta has faced since overthrowing former President Mohamed Bazoum 17 months ago.
Prominent commentator Maidalili Namu described the Tchiani regime as ineffective, accusing it of fostering regional and international animosity. “You have been in power for 17 months, yet you’ve made little progress. Instead, you blame Nigeria, ECOWAS, and others for Niger’s issues,” Namu said on a podcast, urging the president to address domestic crises such as economic hardship, insecurity, and displacement caused by terrorism.
Hamid Ahmadu, another critic, highlighted errors in Tchiani’s allegations, such as falsely implicating Tanzania, a nation far removed from the West African conflict. He questioned why Tchiani had failed to act on alleged intelligence about terrorist hubs if the claims were genuine.
Defence expert Zagazola Makama debunked the claim of French military bases in Nigeria’s Borno State, stating that the areas mentioned are occupied by terrorist groups like ISWAP and Boko Haram. “There is no credible evidence of foreign military presence in these regions,” Makama said.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu also dismissed the claims, emphasizing Nigeria’s long-standing policy of rejecting foreign military bases on its soil. “Even during colonial times, Nigeria resisted foreign troops. Why would we change now?” Ribadu said, urging Tchiani to resolve grievances with France without dragging Nigeria into the conflict.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, accused Tchiani of attempting to incite discontent in northern Nigeria. “These baseless allegations are designed to create chaos and divide Nigerians,” Bwala said, urging citizens to focus on regional unity.
The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) attributed Tchiani’s accusations to local politicians seeking to destabilize Nigeria. Meanwhile, the League of Northern Democrats (LND) criticized the Nigerian government’s response, calling for a deeper investigation into regional terrorism and arms trafficking.
As tensions escalate, ECOWAS has reaffirmed its support for Nigeria, rejecting the allegations as a deliberate attempt to undermine regional stability. Observers warn that Tchiani’s rhetoric could worsen Niger’s diplomatic isolation and detract from urgent issues affecting its citizens.
The Nigerien leader’s allegations come at a time of increasing scrutiny of his administration’s governance, with citizens demanding accountability and a renewed focus on addressing the country’s economic and security challenges.
