President Abdourahmane Tchiani of Niger Republic is facing mounting criticism from citizens over his recent allegations that Nigeria is conspiring with France to destabilise his country.
In a Christmas Day interview, Tchiani claimed Nigeria had provided a base for French soldiers near Lake Chad and established training camps for terrorists in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi states to disrupt Niger’s stability.
Nigeria’s Federal Government dismissed the allegations as baseless. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, were among the government officials to debunk the claims.
Tchiani’s comments have sparked backlash on social media, with many Nigeriens questioning the credibility of his claims. Some accused the president of attempting to deflect attention from his administration’s failures since ousting his predecessor, Mohamed Bazoum, in a palace coup 17 months ago.
Maidalili Namu, a Nigerien commentator, on the Muduba Mugani podcast said, “The regime is being run by 16 generals who are leading the country into ruin.”
“You have been in power for 17 months, confined to the villa and fed with false information that clouds your judgment,” PR Nigeria quoted Namu as saying of Tchiani in a video recording.
Namu also accused the Nigerien strongman of fostering animosity both regionally and internationally, sowing seeds of discord with Niger’s neighbors and other nations.
He said, “When it was announced that you would address the nation at 8 pm on December 25, 2024, in Hausa, Zabarma and French, the prevailing rumour was that your speech would lack originality, filled only with the usual condemnation of France, ECOWAS, Nigeria and others as our adversaries.
“Some even wagered that they would give goats or cash if you didn’t mention France in your address.
“Nigeriens are fed up with your repetitive statements that yield no progress.
“What is most frustrating is that you vindicated their predictions. Some even began to tally how many times you mentioned France, Nigeria and ECOWAS, suggesting they are conspiring to destabilise Niger.
“You have accused numerous countries, both within and outside Africa, of undermining Niger, leading some to question your mental fitness for leadership.
“Your diplomatic failures are evident. You have insulted numerous leaders from various countries, implicating at least 20 nations in a conspiracy against Niger, many of whom we have no direct relations with.
“The real issues affecting Nigeriens—economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, fuel scarcity and the rising cost of living—were overlooked.
“Instead, we heard the same old narrative of external threats and unfounded claims of terrorist camps supervised by the French.
“You asserted that camps have been established for training terrorists in Burkina Faso and Niger—concluding that by the end of 2024, at least 400 terrorists will be trained under French supervision.
“If you possess accurate information about these camps, why do you not coordinate efforts to dismantle them instead of using this information merely as a talking point?
“You must recognise that none of the leaders you’ve insulted have retaliated; you have disparaged leaders from countries like Tanzania, Mauritania, Chad and others. If your assertions hold any truth, how can we possibly survive more than 24 hours amidst the threats you mention?”
Namu accused the President of disregarding humanitarian crises in the country, including flooding and the displacement of thousands of Nigeriens due to terrorism.
Citing data, Namu highlighted that 4,673,335 people currently face hardships, while 2,312 lives have been lost to terrorist attacks since the coup.
Another popular Nigerien commentator, Hamid Ahmadu, said Tchiani’s statements lacked logic, and cited his reference to Tanzania in East Africa as an example of his lack of understanding of geography.
Like Namu, Ahmadu wondered why Tchiani failed to take action against the terrorist hubs he claimed were set up to destabilise the country despite having intelligence of their precise locations.
Some other citizens called for accountability, transparency and a return to governance that prioritises Niger’s development and security.
Nigerian defence expert Zagazola reported on his X handle @ZagazOlaMakama yesterday of an alleged WhatsApp message purportedly originating from the Nigerien military authorities.
The message, shared in a group with military personnel loyal to the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) allegedly outlines instructions to boost support for the junta by spreading claims that France, in connivance with neighboring countries like Nigeria, is planning an attack on Niger.
The message allegedly says, “Go support the CNSP on social networks and audio. Heat up the Facebook. You sleep too much; we feel discouraged. This is not the time.
“Need to make a budget; we have a meeting with the 5 gallon and the gegene. The instruction showed the Pekin population that they want to attack us. Turn on the radio badass.”
Zagazola, who is embedded in Nigeria’s North East, also reported yesterday that there is no trace of any French military base anywhere in Borno State, contrary to claims by Tchiani.
He said: “The assertion that French forces are operating in areas like Kurnawa, Kangarwa and Dogon Chikun is unfounded. These regions are known to be occupied by ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) terrorists, who have been actively terrorising local populations.”
He said these areas regularly witness clashes between ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters, and there is “no credible evidence supporting the presence of foreign military forces.”
He said none of his well-connected sources even in the terrorist camps could confirm Tchiani’s allegations, adding: “The Governor of Borno State is a man of integrity and will not allow such to happen under his state without raising an alarm.”
Continuing, he said, “Claims that local populations in Monguno and Baga are being recruited into terrorism with the knowledge of Nigerian authorities are misleading.
“While there may be concerns about recruitment into militant groups by the terrorists themselves, attributing this to foreign military involvement lacks substantiation.
“Local dynamics and the influence of terror groups are complex and cannot be oversimplified by suggesting that external forces are responsible.”
The areas mentioned by the Nigerien President are currently facing severe environmental challenges, including heavy flooding and insect infestations, which make them largely uninhabitable.
He said, “These conditions further complicate any claims of a stable military presence or recruitment activities in these locations.”