Influential figures from Northern Nigeria have called on President Bola Tinubu to resist allowing the relocation of US and French military bases from the Sahel region into Nigeria.
This appeal was made through an open letter addressed to the President and the leadership of the National Assembly last Friday.
The group of prominent individuals includes academics and former government officials which include, Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria; Professor Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, representing the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) Kaduna; Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Professor Jibrin Ibrahim from the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja; Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Abuja; and Y. Z. Ya’u from the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano. who have expressed their concerns over the potential implications for Nigeria’s sovereignty and security.
They disclosed that the US and France have been actively seeking new defense agreements with Nigeria and other nations along the Gulf of Guinea, following the expulsion of their troops from countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The leaders highlighted the ineffectiveness of foreign military bases in the region, citing the recent removal of troops from Niger as evidence of their failure to curb terrorism, which they argue has only escalated since the establishment of these bases.
“The recent expulsion of French and American troops from Niger due to their perceived ineffective presence raises questions about the efficacy of hosting foreign military bases,” the statement partly said.
“It is important to clearly state that there are only dangers and no gains from such military operations.
“The American operations in Niger Republic, for example, were ostensibly to pre-empt and uproot terrorists from the Sahel region. The result has so far been quite unimpressive, if not a complete failure.
“It is apparent that the presence of American troops and other intelligence personnel in Niger Republic is not serving any useful purpose. This is for the simple reason that terrorism, far from abating, has risen dramatically since the US began its operations in the region,” they said.
The leaders urge President Tinubu to consider the long-term consequences of such strategic alliances and to prioritize the nation’s independence and security.
“Environmentally, the construction and operation of military bases can lead to significant degradation of the local environment. This includes deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity, which are detrimental to agricultural communities and indigenous populations. The long-term environmental damage could further hinder economic opportunities and sustainable development,” they said.
