The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has strongly criticized the recent claims made by the military leader of Niger Republic, Abdourahamane Tchiani, describing them as “despicable propaganda.”
Tchiani, during an interview on Wednesday, alleged that Nigeria was colluding with France to destabilize Niger. Speaking in Hausa, Tchiani claimed that France had been negotiating with terrorists in Nigeria to undermine Niger’s stability. He further alleged that France had paid a substantial amount to President Tinubu in exchange for establishing a military base in Nigeria.
These allegations, according to Bwala, were intended to incite public resentment, particularly in Northern Nigeria, against President Tinubu. Bwala noted that the Nigerien leader deliberately delivered his statements in a local Northern Nigerian language, presumably to amplify their impact among the Northern populace.
Reacting to these accusations in a video shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Bwala dismissed them as baseless and misleading. He stated that the claims were a calculated attempt by Tchiani to create chaos and sow distrust in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern region.
Bwala remarked, “Yesterday, I came across a video filled with despicable propaganda by the military head of Niger Republic, targeting the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is a common pattern with military regimes when they begin to face internal challenges.” He added that Tchiani, unable to address Niger’s mounting economic woes, had resorted to spreading falsehoods and engaging in propaganda to divert attention from his failings.
Bwala further suggested that Tchiani might be acting in collusion with certain political elements within Nigeria, aiming to create divisions. “The words he chose were not only false but also intentionally inflammatory. His goal seems to be to incite Northern Nigerians against President Tinubu,” he added.
In response to these allegations, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also refuted Tchiani’s claims, labeling them baseless and unfounded.
Bwala concluded by highlighting Nigeria’s longstanding leadership role in West Africa and its commitment to fostering bilateral relations with its neighbors. He emphasized that President Tinubu’s administration remains focused on maintaining regional stability and promoting peace.
