By Akinwale Kasali
The Federal Government has debunked the news which made the rounds that it was considering granting a request by the United States of America, USA, to establish a Military Base in Nigeria.
Public outcry had greeted the news but the Federal Government has asked Nigerians to perish the thought as it has no intention of doing so.
There were strong speculations that the US in particular was flirting with Nigeria’s top officials to secure a military base in Africa’s most populous country.
But the Nigerian Government in a statement on Monday signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Government was not anticipating US military presence in Nigeria.
Idris said the FG is “aware of false alarms” being raised in some quarters alleging discussions between the Federal Government of Nigeria and some foreign countries on the siting of foreign military bases in the country.
But he said: “We urge the general public to totally disregard this falsehood.”
He said the Federal Government is not in any such discussion with any foreign country.
“We have neither received nor are we considering any proposals from any country on the establishment of any foreign military bases in Nigeria.”
Idris said the Nigerian government is already enjoying foreign cooperation in tackling ongoing security challenges, and the President Tinubu Government remains committed to deepening these partnerships, with the goal of achieving the national security objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
When the news filtered, several Civil Society Groups have criticized the move, cautioning the Nigerian Government from accepting such.
The Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, also opposed the relocation of United States and French military bases to Nigeria, warning of the dangers of compromising the country’s sovereignty and security.
In a statement on Monday, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, the Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PRP, cautioned the Nigerian government against entering into any agreements that would lead to the establishment of foreign military bases on Nigerian soil.
“ The presence of foreign military bases on Nigerian soil may lead to a gradual erosion of our national sovereignty,” the party warned”.
It would be recalled that The US and France were booted out of Niger Republic and Mali by their new revolutionary leaders.
Before now, there were speculations that the US in particular was flirting with Nigerian top officials to secure a military base in Africa’s most populous country.
