News
Benin Republic summons Niger diplomat over terrorism allegations
The Benin Republic has summoned a Nigerien diplomat following allegations by Niger’s junta leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, accusing the country of backing terrorist activities in West Africa.
The move marks a formal protest against the claims, which Benin has described as baseless and inflammatory.
In a statement issued by Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs via its X on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Olushegun Bakari confirmed that the Nigerien chargé d’affaires was summoned to provide clarification on the allegations.
“Due to the unfounded accusations made against our country, the chargee d’affaires of Niger has been summoned,” the Beninese foreign ministry said on X, as reported by AFP.
The ministry also sent a letter of protest, rejecting the accusations and emphasising Benin’s commitment to peace and collaboration with its neighbors.
The diplomatic tension stems from a Christmas Day address by Tchiani, in which he accused Benin of serving as a rear base for terrorists seeking to destabilize Niger.
The accusations come amid ongoing regional challenges following the military coup in Niger that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
Relations between Niger and Benin have been strained in recent years, with disputes over oil exports, border closures, and trade.
Despite these challenges, both countries had recently shown signs of reconciliation, including the appointment of new ambassadors.
Benin’s foreign ministry reiterated its dedication to dialogue and fraternal cooperation, warning that baseless accusations could undermine regional stability.
“Benin remains committed to dialogue and to fraternal collaboration between the two nations,” the ministry stated.
The allegations have also drawn reactions from other implicated countries, including Nigeria, which was accused of hosting a French military base intended to destabilize Niger.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, dismissed the claim as unfounded, asserting that Nigeria would never allow a foreign military base on its soil.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said it is open to dialogue with Niger.
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Melvin Ayogu to the board of the Central Bank of Nigeria and has sought Senate confirmation for the appointment.
The Special Adviser to Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this in a statement on Wednesday.
Tinubu also sought Senate confirmation for Nwakuche Ndidi as controller-general of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
He said the requests, conveyed in letters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, were read during Tuesday’s plenary.
Tinubu had previously nominated Robert Agbide, Ado Wanga, Murtala Sagaley, Urom Eke, and Olayinka Aliyu to the CBN board in February 2024.
However, on February 29, 2024, the senate confirmed four people as members of the board of the CBN after Eke rejected the offer, citing “conflict of interest”.
Tinubu replaced Eke with Ruby Onwudiwe on March 13, 2024; however, a day after, reports circulated that the president withdrew her nomination over political affiliation with the Labour Party, an opposition of the All Progressives Congress.
The decision reportedly followed pressure mounted on the president by members of the APC, as Onwudiwe publicly supported Peter Obi, who contested on the LP platform against Tinubu, at the 2023 presidential elections.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have arrived the State House, Abuja, to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The legislators who arrived in two coaster buses had been allowed into the President’s office area to wait for the meeting.
Both the reinstated Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Mudashiru Obasa, and the ousted one, Hon Mojisola Miranda, were also sighted in the team.
While Meranda arrived with her colleagues at some minutes past 2pm, Obasa arrived separately at about 2:50pm.
The meeting may not be unconnected with the recent leadership crisis in the State House of Assembly.
It would be recalled that Hon. Obasa was impeached as Speaker by a majority of his colleagues, but he was latter reinstated after the intervention of the political leaders especially the Governor’s Advisory Council, (GAC)
Despite the Speaker’s reinstatement, it was gathered that the bad blood as a result of his impeachment is yet to be over.
The Nation
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has discribed as “useless” the letter sent by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the Rivers State House of Assembly, requesting a meeting regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on the state’s political matters.
During a conversation with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, voiced his disapproval, emphasizing that Speaker Martins Amaewhule and other members of the Rivers Assembly are independent individuals who deserve respect.
Wike argued that instead of issuing a public letter to invite the lawmakers, Fubara should have contacted Amaewhule and his team directly by phone to schedule a private meeting at a convenient time.
Tinubu nominates Melvin Ayogu to CBN board, requests Senate approval
Marrying One Wife Is Alien To African Tradition – Actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo
LSHA crisis: Tinubu meets Obasa, Meranda at Presidential Villa
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News14 hours agoVideo: WATCH tearful Senator Natasha reporting Akpabio to IPU
-
News8 hours agoAuthentic Lawmakers Resume Sitting At Rivers Assembly After Shutting Out Governor Fubara From Presenting 2025 Budget
-
News19 hours agoTinubu to Fubara: comply fully with S’Court verdict
-
News9 hours agoNigerian ‘Dead Woman’ Appears In Court To Reclaim £350k London Home From Scammer
-
News8 hours agoSAD! Angry fan k!lls female influencer during live stream
-
News4 hours agoFubara’s Letter To Rivers Assembly Over S’Court Verdict Is ‘Useless’-Wike declares
-
News14 hours agoFRESH TWIST! Obasa Drags Meranda To Court Over N5BN SUV Purchase
-
News20 hours agoOdilli in trouble as Supreme Court gives EFCC the nod probe to ex-Gov