Ex-minister says Nigeria doesn’t need France to destabilise Niger Republic

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has dismissed claims by Niger Republic’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, that Nigeria is collaborating with France and terrorist groups to destabilise the West African nation.

In a strongly worded statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, Fani-Kayode argued that Nigeria, if it wished to destabilise Niger, would not require assistance from France or any terrorist organisations.

“If Nigeria wanted to destabilise Niger Republic, I do not believe that we would need France or any terrorist organisation to do so,” Fani-Kayode stated.

He accused Western powers of backing terrorist groups in the West African region over the past 15 years, stressing that Nigeria has been a victim of such organisations and would never align with them.

“I have maintained that the Western powers are behind the terrorist groups that have plagued the West African sub-region over the last 15 years, and for the last ten years, I have publicly stated this and given my reasons,” he said.

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The former minister condemned Tchiani’s allegations that President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu were working with France to sponsor terrorism in Niger, describing the accusations as baseless and provocative.

“Tchiani’s grave allegations that President Tinubu and NSA Nuhu Ribadu have been bought by the French to destabilise Niger Republic, that our Government is jointly sponsoring a terrorist group with France to do the same, and that there are French military bases in Nigeria are infantile, puerile, mendacious and asinine,” Fani-Kayode said.

He warned the Nigerien leader against making inflammatory statements that could strain relations between the two countries.

“The Nigerien Military Head of State, Abdourahamane Tchiani, would do well to be careful not to provoke our wrath with his absurd assertions and remain mindful of the fact that the defence budget for his country, Mali, and Burkina Faso combined is not up to 25% of Nigeria’s,” he added.

Fani-Kayode urged the Nigerian government to consider “more extreme measures” if the accusations from Niger persist, asserting that Nigeria has no obligation to show restraint in the face of such provocations.

Ex-minister says Nigeria doesn’t need France to destabilise Niger Republic

Adeleke presents staff of office to new Owa-Obokun amid protest

ILESA — Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday presented the staff of office to Oba Adesuyi Haastrup as the 41st Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland in a ceremony marked by mixed reactions.

Oba Haastrup’s selection follows the passing of the 40th Owa-Obokun, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, in September, after which the mourning period and succession process commenced. Last Friday, Prince Haastrup of the Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house was elected by the Ijesa kingmakers and subsequently approved as the new monarch despite an existing court injunction restraining stakeholders from proceeding with the selection process.

At the installation ceremony, Governor Adeleke urged the new monarch to foster unity among Ijesa people and leverage his experience and connections for the development of Ijesaland and Osun State.

“Kabiyesi, now that the time of competition is over and you have become the father of all, I urge you to rally all citizens of Ijesaland for the development of the area and the State at large,” Adeleke said.

He emphasized the importance of collective efforts, stating, “There is much work to be done, and the Government alone cannot bear the responsibility. I call on all Ijesa sons and daughters to prioritise the development of our fatherland. Our administration is intensifying developmental efforts across the state, including Ijesaland.”

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The selection and installation of Oba Haastrup were met with opposition from two royal families, Ofokutu and Fajemisin, within the Bilaro Olu-Odo ruling house.

In a statement signed by Prince Adetoyese Adegbohungbe, Secretary of the Ofokutu royal family, the process was described as a desecration of Ijesa traditions.

“We have witnessed not just compromise but the desecration of the noble tradition of the Ijesa, with the blatant disregard for the most sacred tradition, which is the selection of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland,” the statement read.

The family expressed shock at the selection, citing a pending court case, and accused stakeholders of undermining due process.

The Fajemisin family also condemned the process, describing it as flawed and unlawful. In a statement by Olufemi Fajemisin, the family rejected Oba Haastrup’s selection and demanded a transparent process that respects Ijesa customs.

Adeleke presents staff of office to new Owa-Obokun amid protest

Paris-bound businessman excretes 74 wraps of heroin, cocaine at Abuja airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur for ingesting 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine.

Mr Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that Orizu was intercepted while attempting to board an Air France flight 844 from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA) Abuja to Paris, France.

He said that the suspect was arrested at the boarding gate of the Abuja airport on Sunday, Dec. 22 during the outward clearance of passengers on Air France.

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“When he was pulled aside for a body scan, he turned down the request claiming his medical condition won’t allow him.

“He was thereafter taken into custody for excretion observation during which he excreted a total of 74 wraps of the Class A drugs over a period of seven days.

“In his statement, Orizu claimed he owns a shop at Balogun market, Lagos Island where he sells school and travel bags, adding that he was promised 3,000 Euros upon successful delivery of the consignment in Paris.

“He left his base in Lagos for the Abuja airport to connect his Air France flight to Paris, hoping to escape detection,” he said.

BREAKING NEWS : NDLEA HAVE ARRESTED A DRUG KINGPIN WHO EXCREATED 74 WRAPS OF HEROINE AND COCAINE

48-year-old businessman, An Igbo man Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur was arrested at Abuja airport with drugs

Orizu claimed he owns a shop at Balogun market, Lagos Island where he sells… pic.twitter.com/rgppRe92E3

— Nononsense (@NoNonsensezone) December 29, 2024

Paris-bound businessman excretes 74 wraps of heroin, cocaine at Abuja airport