Your Response Is Not Enough, League of Northern Democrats Tells FG

By Treasure Moses

The Federal Government of Nigeria’s response to the accusations by Niger’s military leader has been deemed insufficient, raising more questions than answers. France’s history of destabilizing regions to secure natural resources has cast a shadow of doubt on Nigeria’s denial of colluding with France to destabilize Niger. The government’s claim of combating terrorism is contradicted by the fact that insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to acquire sophisticated weapons, including drones. The lack of explanation on how these groups obtain such weapons and the failure to curtail their supply lines for nearly two decades is alarming.

The assertion that President Tinubu has demonstrated exemplary leadership as ECOWAS Chairman is also contradicted by the deepening tensions among ECOWAS member states. Nigeria’s support for ECOWAS sanctions and military invasion against Niger has exacerbated the suffering of ordinary Nigeriens and strained bilateral relations. The government’s emphasis on refusing to host foreign military bases does not address the central issue of sophisticated weaponry in the hands of insurgents. The claim of safeguarding sovereignty does not explain how international arms and funding networks continue to fuel terrorism within Nigeria’s borders.

The denial of the existence of a “Lakurawa terrorist headquarters” in Sokoto State is also questionable

The government’s highlighting of joint projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Kano-Maradi Railway as evidence of its commitment to Niger’s development is undermined by the delays and controversies surrounding these projects. The inability to address the root causes of regional insecurity, such as arms proliferation and terrorist funding, calls into question the government’s sincerity.

The denial of the existence of a “Lakurawa terrorist headquarters” in Sokoto State is also questionable, given the documented presence of insurgent strongholds within Nigeria’s borders.

The League of Northern Democrats has expressed its concern that the government’s response lacks concrete evidence and fails to address the core issues raised by Niger’s leader. The notorious reputation of France’s clandestine military incursions, the long ongoing insurgency in Northern Nigeria, and the sophisticated weaponry used by insurgents all require a more robust and transparent approach. The government must provide credible answers to fundamental questions, including why France is accused of being behind all the insurgencies in the Sahel, who supplies weapons and funds to the insurgents, and what measures are in place to prevent external exploitation. Without addressing these issues comprehensively, the government’s denial risks being seen as deflection rather than a genuine commitment to resolving the crises.