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Nigeria has no military pact with France, says Ribadu
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has refuted claims that Nigeria was involved in any military cooperation with France.
According to him, the country’s relationship with the European nation was strictly economic.
Ribadu spoke during an interview with BBC Hausa, monitored by our correspondents on Friday.
Ribadu’s comment followed an allegation made by Niger’s military junta leader, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who accused Nigeria of allowing France to use its territory as a staging ground for destabilising Niger.
Speaking during the interview, Ribadun dismissed the allegation, describing it as baseless and implausible, saying it was an attempt to strain relations between the two nations.
Ribadu said it was unreasonable for Nigeria to sever ties with France over Niger’s internal disputes.
He said, “Nigeria has no history of hosting foreign military bases. Even our former colonizer, the United Kingdom, has never established a base here. We have consistently resisted such attempts, including from the United States.
“In contrast, Niger has hosted foreign bases, including one by the U.S., which they recently expelled. Our relationship with France has always been about economic cooperation, not military collaboration. While Niger’s leadership may have issues with France, it is unreasonable to expect Nigeria to sever ties with France over Niger’s internal disputes.
“Once again, I emphasise that Nigeria’s relationship with France is strictly economic and has no military implications. We will not allow our country to be used as a tool for destabilising Niger. We hope that Niger’s leadership will understand this and work with us as allies and brothers to ensure peace and stability in the region.”
Ribadu said Nigeria was committed to peaceful coexistence with its neighbours, citing long-standing amicable relations with countries like Chad, Benin Republic, and Cameroon.
“Nigeria has no intention of sabotaging or destabilising Niger. We have always maintained peaceful relations with our neighbours, including Cameroon, Benin Republic, and Chad. Why would we suddenly have a reason to be in conflict with Niger? It simply doesn’t make sense,” NSA said.
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Protests erupted in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Monday morning over the continued killings of indigenous residents by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militants.
The demonstrations, led by Christian leaders including the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, commenced on Monday morning at the Fawvwei Junction community road, causing a heavy gridlock and stranding commuters.
The latest protest comes amid a surge in violent attacks by gunmen in various communities, with over 100 people killed in Bokkos and Bassa LGAS in the past two weeks.
“We are not happy over the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That’s why we have come out again to protest these happenings,” said Gyang Dalyop, one of the protesters.
Another protester, Hannatu Philip, called on the government to intervene before it spirals out of control.
The protesters brandishing placards with different inscriptions were seen marching towards the Rayfield Government House.
The Presidency has said the former Labour Party, LP, presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed is no match for President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare was reacting to Datti’s remark that he (Tinubu) would not run for the presidency in 2027.
The former LP running mate insisted that Tinubu’s time is up, adding that everything is there for the president and the ruling All Progressives Party, APC, to see that they lose in 2027.
Dismissing such remark, Dare likened Datti’s comment to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through.
In a statement he signed, Dare said the likes of Peter Obi and Datti would have been president left for the latter’s theories.
According to Dare, Datti has chosen to venture into an unfamiliar terrain.
The statement reads partly: “Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed’s “illogical logic” was all over the place in his recent interview with a television channel.
“Listening to Yusuf Datti Baba- Ahmed spurn his postulations about the political future of Nigeria and that of the incumbent President is like listening to the new year predictions of charlatan ‘prophets’ which never come through. Yusuf Baba Ahmed and his co-traveller Peter Obi are indeed a “double whammy“ in the Nigerian political space.
“He chose to base his political calculations on President Bola Tinubu not winning a second term given his antecedents and because Nigerians will decide at the polls among other things. He conveniently avoided the substance of performance and capacity.
“Unfortunately, he chose to walk into a lane he was unfamiliar with and chose to confront a politician he is no match for.”
Similarly, the Presidency had also stressed that Tinubu will reveal his plans for a second term at the right time.
It said the APC 2027 presidential campaign billboards had no links to Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
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