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CSOs Accuses PDP of Orchestrating Protests Against Defence Minister Matawalle
The 774 Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has accused a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of orchestrating recent protests and disturbances aimed at discrediting Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence.
The group claims the protests are being driven by political forces acting in proxy for Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Muhammad Kabiru, the National Secretary of the CSOs, alleged that the protests against Matawalle were part of a deliberate campaign to undermine his growing influence and, by extension, damage the credibility of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Kabiru asserted that the unrest was politically motivated, orchestrated by those who view Matawalle’s rise as a threat to their ambitions.
“Matawalle’s strong leadership and unwavering commitment to national security, especially in Northern Nigeria, have made him a target for those who see his influence as an obstacle,” Kabiru said.
“These protests are a desperate attempt to weaken his credibility and disrupt the stability that the Tinubu administration is striving to build.”
The CSOs emphasized that Matawalle’s retention in the federal cabinet was a significant endorsement of his performance and contributions to national security.
Kabiru praised President Tinubu for standing by the minister despite the ongoing political pressures from the faction within the PDP. He added that the group, under the influence of Governor Dauda Lawal, was using misinformation and incitement to sow division and create instability.
“We commend President Tinubu for his foresight and courage in maintaining Matawalle in his cabinet,” Kabiru said.
“While political machinations often overshadow governance, the President’s support for Matawalle sends a clear message that national security should not be compromised for political gain.”
The CSOs also urged Matawalle to remain focused on his work, pointing to his track record in combating banditry and ensuring the safety of Nigerian citizens. They called on the minister to continue his efforts to combat insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where criminal elements such as the Lakurawa group continue to pose significant challenges.
“The recent threats from criminal groups should be met with the same resolve Matawalle has shown in the past,” Kabiru added. “His leadership has been crucial in the fight against insecurity, and we are confident that he will continue to deliver for the people.”
The CSOs also appealed to Northern Nigerian youth to recognize the larger implications of the protests and disturbances, urging them to remain vigilant against divisive tactics that could undermine the region’s unity and the country’s stability.
“We stand in unwavering support of Bello Mohammed Matawalle and call on him to continue his vital work for the security of our communities,” Kabiru concluded.
“We are prepared to mobilize our members and allies in defense of our leaders who prioritize the welfare of the people. Together, we will confront these challenges and ensure that forces of destabilization do not succeed.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared four individuals wanted over the alleged fraud perpetrated on crypto bridge exchange (CBEX), a trading platform.
The four suspects are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede.
More to follow…
The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.
Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.
The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.
Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.
According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.
Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.
The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.
The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.
“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.
In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.
The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.
The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.
They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The competition and consumer protection tribunal has upheld the $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Incorporated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In a statement on Friday by Ondaje Ijagwu, the agency’s director for corporate affairs, FCCPC said the tribunal also awarded $35,000 to the commission as the cost of investigation.
On July 19, 2024, FCCPC imposed a fine of $220 million on Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, for multiple data privacy violations.
However, Meta said it would appeal the fine.
The case stemmed from a 38-month joint investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the privacy practices and consumer data policies of WhatsApp and Meta.
Delivering judgment on Thursday in Abuja, the tribunal led by Thomas Okosun ruled that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory powers in investigating and sanctioning the companies for alleged anti-competitive and exploitative practices.
The tribunal dismissed the appeals filed by Meta and WhatsApp, which challenged the legal basis of the commission’s findings and orders.
Instead, it upheld the commission’s position on nearly all contested issues.
Gbolahan Elias (SAN) led WhatsApp and Meta’s legal teams, while Babatunde Irukera led the FCCPC’s legal team.
According to the statement, both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28.
‘FCCPC ADHERED TO DUE PROCESS’
The tribunal, in its ruling, found that the FCCPC adhered to due process and acted within the law.
It resolved issues one to seven primarily in favour of the commission.
“The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence,” the statement reads.
“One of the central issues (Issue 3), which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.
“The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.
“On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.
“On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour.
“The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.
“While issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the commission, the tribunal set aside Order 7 of the commission’s final order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.”
Commenting on the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman (EVC) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the FCCPC, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a landmark judgment reinforcing the commission’s mandate to protect consumers and ensure fair market practices.
He commended the commission’s legal team for their diligence.
Bello reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enforcing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.