Some Northern leaders have urged the Nigerian authorities led by President Bola Tinubu to not enable the US, US, and French governments to relocate their army bases from the Sahel to Nigeria.
They cautioned that permitting the US and French authorities perform such transfer posed hazard to Nigeria.
This was contained in a letter addressed to Tinubu and the Nationwide Meeting.
Signatories to the letter included Abubakar Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Improvement, Analysis and Coaching (CEDDERT); Kabiru Chafe, former minister of state for petroleum assets, from the Arewa Analysis and Improvement Undertaking (ARDP); Attahiru Jega, former chairman, Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC); Jibrin Ibrahim of the Centre for Democracy and Improvement (CDD); Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CCISLAC); and YZ Ya’u of the Centre for Info Know-how and Improvement (CITAD).
Within the letter, they claimed that the US and French governments have allegedly been lobbying Nigeria and different nations within the area, to signal new defence pacts permitting them to redeploy their expelled troops.
“That is for the straightforward purpose that terrorism, removed from abating, has in truth risen dramatically for the reason that US started its operations within the area,” the leaders stated.
In addition they expressed considerations in regards to the financial and environmental impacts of internet hosting overseas army bases.
“Economically, the presence of those bases might doubtlessly divert authorities funds and assets away from vital areas similar to schooling, healthcare, and infrastructure improvement towards sustaining and securing these army installations.
“This redirection of assets might stunt financial development and exacerbate poverty in a rustic the place a lot of the inhabitants already lives beneath difficult situations.
“Furthermore, internet hosting overseas troops typically results in elevated costs and dwelling prices in native areas, disproportionately affecting the lower-income inhabitants.
“Environmentally, the development and operation of army bases can result in important degradation of the native surroundings.
“These embrace deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination, and lack of biodiversity, that are detrimental to agricultural communities and indigenous populations.
“The long-term environmental harm might additional hinder financial alternatives and sustainable improvement,” they additional alleged.
The letter added that the presence of overseas army bases in Nigeria would worsen already strained relations between Nigeria and neighbouring French nations.
“Of the nations within the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria seems to be essentially the most strategically situated. There are indications that the Nigerian Authorities could also be favourably disposed to the proposed protection pact.
“Nonetheless, there’s a widespread apprehension that signing of the pact by Nigeria would have broad ranging implications for protection and inner safety of the nation.
“These French and American bases had been utilized by the French and the Individuals to hold out manned and unmanned surveillance flights and different operations within the Sahel,” they additional acknowledged.
