By Abdulrahman Usman Leme
There could hardly be a more transparent work of fiction than the allegations made by Niger’s military leader, Brigadier-General Abdourahmane Tchiani, in his widely discussed Christmas Day interview.
In this address, he accused Nigeria of conspiring with France to destabilise his country by allying with militant groups in the Lake Chad region.
These unfounded claims have ignited a storm of conspiracy theories, deepened divisions in conversations about peace in West Africa, and drawn ordinary citizens of both nations into a polarising narrative—a lamentable farewell to truth.
For the discerning observer, General Tchiani’s interview is a textbook deflection tactic, aimed more at distracting from the state of affairs in Niger than offering a sincere assessment of the geopolitical challenges the country faces.
Such diversions are calculated to weaponise public sentiment against imagined enemies, enabling him to rally popular support and extend his grip on power.
Niger’s prevailing struggles—marked by crippling economic sanctions and growing diplomatic isolation—provide a clear context for these baseless accusations, which remain devoid of credible evidence.
The reason General Tchiani’s wild tales have even gained traction in Nigeria lies in the toxicity of internal partisan politics.
Many who know better or have the means to fact-check the claims have preferred to exploit the story to settle political scores or pursue agendas against the very nation they aspire to lead someday.
This marks a low point in Nigeria’s political discourse, where opportunism trumps reason, and lies are embraced with little scrutiny.
OPINION:
