The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take drastic measures against the sponsored protests aimed at ridiculing the party, President Bola Tinubu, and former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawale.
Some protesters stormed the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja on Friday, asking the commission to reopen the investigations of former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle.
According to Channels TV, the EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, who received the protest letter on behalf of the Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, assured the protesters that the commission would pursue corruption cases to a logical conclusion.
Reacting to the development in a statement shared with journalists in Abuja on Friday evening, Chairman of NAN, Salihu Suleiman said the orchestrated protest, sponsored from Zamfara State, was a blatant example of this alarming trend.
The group expressed deep concern over the troubling trend of financing unruly crowds to engage in misconduct under the guise of protest, serving hidden agendas rather than genuine grievances.
“We firmly believe that this protest, which aimed to belittle President Bola Tinubu and his loyal allies, was not an authentic expression of discontent but rather a calculated attempt to undermine the presidency and embarrass the government.”
The statement partly read: “The deliberate targeting of Minister of State Defence Bello Matawalle, a dedicated supporter of President Tinubu, clearly demonstrates that this protest was driven by political motives, seeking to sow division and discord within the ruling party.
“The use of the APC’s name as a platform for such misconduct is unacceptable and demands swift and decisive action.
“While protests play a vital role in any democratic society, NAN emphasizes that when these protests are hijacked by external forces with ulterior motives, they lose their legitimacy and become tools for manipulation and deception.
“It is crucial for the leaders of the APC to take a firm stance against sponsored dissent and ensure that the party remains a symbol of integrity and transparency.
“NAN calls for the sponsors of such protests to be exposed and appropriately sanctioned, as this is a necessary step in rooting out this insidious practice. Those who seek to manipulate public opinion for personal gain must be held accountable for their actions, and the APC leadership must demonstrate that they will not tolerate such behavior within their ranks.
“Sponsored dissent represents a dangerous trend that threatens the integrity of the political system and undermines the trust of the people in their leaders.
“The APC must heed the call of the Northern Awareness Network and take decisive action to address and eradicate this practice. By standing firm against manipulation and deceit, the party can uphold its commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring that Nigeria’s democracy remains strong and vibrant.”
