Dr. Mahadi Shehu Urges FG to Recall Ambassador Over Niger Allegations

Dr. Mahadi Shehu, a public commentator and activist, has urged the Federal Government to recall Nigeria’s Ambassador to Niger Republic following allegations by Niger’s military head of state that Nigerian leaders are contributing to insecurity in the region.  

Speaking with RadioNow’s Buhari Abubakar, Dr. Shehu described the allegations as a reflection of deeper truths. He criticised the Nigerian government’s dismissal of the claims as retaliatory actions tied to Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with France, arguing that such a response is inadequate.  

“This interview by the Niger Republic Military Head of State is like a light in darkness. She has shined a light on us. Darkness has drizzled away.We’ve seen all the actors and actresses naked. That’s number one. Number two, plant evil.You harvest evil. Prepare evil. You meet evil ahead of you, waiting for you.Betray trust. The end will justify what you are doing. Betray people.People will come to know. Pretend it’s a matter of time. This is how best I can qualify that interview and the actors mentioned and if there are even actresses mentioned.”

He stressed that if the government is genuinely concerned about these allegations, it must take drastic measures, including recalling the ambassador and closing the Nigerian embassy in Niger. Dr. Shehu believes such steps would demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing the issue and ensuring national security.  

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 “I listen to Nuhuru Bapa’s rebuttal and denials. I also read the Minister for Information’s denial too. Put together, my impression is that the combined effect of those denials put together, for me, further confirms all the concerns of the NTIB Director-General, the Niger Republic President. Because, at best, the denials were huge, were naive, unschooled, uneducated, shaky, unconvincing, coming from government officials. That is not the way to deny these great, huge allegations. The Niger President gave date, gave type, gave location, mentioned names. This is credible. It is well-noded allegations. But for them, only denied by the word of mouth.”

When asked about the public’s varied interpretations of the allegations, Dr. Shehu called for clarity and unity in addressing the matter, emphasising that decisive diplomatic action is necessary to safeguard Nigeria’s interests and reputation.

“Part of the danger of not speaking to people. Bola Tinubu speaks only in a monologue. He speaks only to himself. He believes Nigerians have no right to talk, no right to complain, no right to decent life, no right to eat, no right to sleep well. He himself and his kitchen cabinet think they are all entitled to this. The danger of not talking to people under democracy is that we give everybody the right, the chance, the opportunity, the latitude, the opportunity to do what, to misinterpret you, or to interpret you rightly or wrongly, to factorize you at a distance and at a close range, and to call off your applause. That’s the danger of speaking to yourself.”