Agency Report
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), on Friday, opposed alleged plans to establish a French military base in Nigeria, describing the move as unconstitutional and detrimental to the country’s sovereignty.
The CNG also cited France’s controversial role in West Africa, noting its alleged involvement in the destabilisation of regional stability and the exploitation of resources in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
National Coordinator of CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, disclosed this in Abuja during a press briefing, expressing concern over reported agreements between the Nigerian government and France, allegedly granting the European nation permission to establish a military presence in the country and access to Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Charanchi accused the government of undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty and history of Pan-African leadership by entertaining what the group termed French neo-imperialist ambitions.
He said: “It took the collective wisdom and uncommon display of Pan-Africanism by some renowned statesmen and millions of concerned citizens to miraculously quench the incendiary fire ignited by France in her desperate bid to continue the objectionable subjugation of its rebellious former French-speaking colonies in the region, in neocolonial servitude, using Nigeria as a willing tool.
“It should also not escape our elephantine memory that it was this same France that so boisterously spearheaded the stiff resistance of some powerful Western nations against the imminent take-off of the West African common currency.
“With all these calamitous catalogues of French imperial meddlesomeness in Africa, it beggars belief that our country, Nigeria, which has a rich and proud record of championing the cause of black people anywhere in the world and is an undisputed leader of the African people, could suddenly stoop so low as to be ordered around, in a manner reminiscent of the abhorrent and detestable behaviour of conquered people.
“We refuse to accept and hereby wish to definitely reaffirm, that, having so sufficiently equipped ourselves with the armoury of the above-stated indisputable historical facts and in light of yet another abhorrent reality prevalent,
“Especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, where the rich mineral resources of these two great African nations are pitilessly plundered by France in particular, it is our very firm resolve and implacable determination to use all constitutional and democratic means to militantly resist any attempt by this government to invite France or any other foreign power to establish a military base in any part of our beloved country.
“It is beyond doubt that the constitution of our dear country has adequate provisions on the laid-down procedures that must be strictly adhered to in handling sensitive matters such as this, but which, for reasons best known to this government, it becomes flagrantly convenient for them to ignore and even trample underfoot.”
CNG called on the National Assembly to reject any moves that would allow foreign powers to establish military bases in Nigeria.
It also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to focus on addressing the pressing insecurity issues in the northern region, including insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings, rather than pursuing policies that might jeopardise national stability.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to resisting such plans through constitutional and democratic means, vowing to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty at all costs.
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