…says Fubara must invoke doctrine of necessity
A renowned public interest group; Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria, ELFON today at a press conference in Abuja has urge the Zamfara state government as well as members of Rivers state house of Assembly to refrain from politicising security issues and in-house legislative rancours in Zamfara and Rivers states respectively as such actions can breach public peace.
Speaking to the Press, the President of Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria; Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel while commending Minister Bello Matawalle for his proactive measures in addressing security concerns called for support of state governments rather than unwarranted criticism.
Godstime noted with great concern that media attacks and unruly protests are majorly targeted at individuals perceived as allies and die-hard lieutenants of President Bola Tinubu such as Minister Matawalle Bello, Minister Nyesom Wike, Femi Gbajabiamila and Proactive Service Chiefs of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Abdullaziz Yakubu; one of the hired protesters who was hired to protest against Minister Bello Matawalle few weeks ago at the EFCC office gate while speaking to press men noted that he is greatly sorry for being part of the said protest against Matawalle.
“We were mobilised from our business area in Suleja where we sell kola nuts to Abuja. It was at the point of demonstration that we were told to hold placards which most of us could not even read, little did we know that it was against Matawalle. I am deeply sorry,” Abdullaziz spoke in mixed pigin language.
The group also advised Gov.Fubara to allow the courts determine the pending cases as regards the state house of Assembly while he goes ahead to use Executive orders to govern the state in the interim following doctrine of necessity.
The Press release reads as follows:
A JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE OF PROMINENT GROUPS UNDER THE AEGIS OF EMERGING LEADERS FORUM OF NIGERIA (ELFON)
On PROTESTS, SECURITY CHALLENGES AND THE WAYFORWARD.
Holding today, 10th May, 2024 at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja.
As Emerging Leaders, we have it on credible intelligence that certain individuals are orchestrating efforts to undermine the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration wishing that the President will not make it to power again in 2027 for their selfish reasons and as such are hell bent on ensuring that the fight anyone noticed to be a strong lieutenant of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.
This intelligence is more prominent within the Northern region as hypocrisy, pull him down mentality have taken the center stage.
Enemies of Nigeria are fervently oncourse to mess the President Bola Tinubu’s administration up hence are periodically marshaling out attacks on hard-core Tinubuists such as the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The attack on the Minister of State for Defence seems to be more prominent and critical because a large group of some Northern elites who are opposed to President Tinubu’s return to power in 2027 are seeing Matawalle as their nightmare and a serious opposition with sound grassroot followership that are ready to do anything for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the North and Zamfara state in Particular.
This is why Nigerians witness rented crowd ignorant of the national laws, constitutional and judicial process in the operations of anti graft agencies move about in a protest of envy and vendetta against the rising popularity of the Minister Bello Matawalle.
We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to explained to the sponsored protesters that the commission’s constitutional mandate is not driven by personal vendettas, political differences and tribal sentiments but focused to uphold the rule of law and combating financial crimes without fear or favour.
Again, intelligence have shown that such protests have been coming from Matawalle’s political rivals organized by a few people from Matawalle’s home State, using Keffi, Suleja and Gwagwalada indigenes who could not even read the content of placards they are being given against the Minister.
If they don’t repent, next time we see any of such miscreants disturbing public peace in any part of our dear country Nigeria, we will not hesitate to get them arrested and cause both them and their sponsors to face the full wrath of the law.
We have been following with kin interest the sociopolitical landscape of Zamfara State in recent times and we are not happy with the political dimension the security situation in that part of the Northwest Nigerian is taking especially as regards banditry.
With Bello Matawalle’s support to the success so far recorded in the ongoing fight against insecurity challenges bedeviling Zamfara state through military operations and intervention, Minister Matawalle should have been appreciated rather than being castigated or maligned by the suspected divisive agents of Zamfara state government through hired writers hiding under a mushroom online news platform in the name of political witch hunt and mischief spare headed by one Abdullmalik Gajam who has boasted never to relent in his foolery even as a commissioner for budget.
Matawalle is known by not only the people of Zamfara state but by Nigerians and President Tinubu a long time before now as a good leader who sacrificed much in ensuring the success of the fight against insecurity, embracing political unity and cohesion right from his days as Governor of Zamfara state, a fit that propelled Mr. President to appoint him as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense knowing fully well that he will never allow sentiment or hatred to becloud his sense of judgment on the issue of security in any state of the federation let alone his home state especially now as Minister of State Defense.
It is important to add that playing politics and propaganda with the issue of insecurity in Zamfara state is destroying good efforts and genuine commitment to redeem the state and its people from these bandits who are projecting the state in a bad light before national and international communities.
Just a few hours ago, report had it that Bandits set Saka jiki, Jangebe and Mada villages ablaze killing innocent people, destroying properties and kidnapping people too. We therefore see this unfortunate development as uncalled for.
Rather than spending millions on character assasinating publications, the Zamfara state Government should channel more energy to the fight against insecurity in the state.
One move by Matawalle that further intensified the gang up against him by enemies of President Tinubu was directive to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) months ago to go after those calling for military take over of power in the country.
Matawalle described those calling for an undemocratic change of government as agents of darkness, warning that anyone caught would not be treated lightly. This directive got some quarters infuriated.
Another lofty stride of Matawalle that didn’t go down well with the enemies of the current administration was the partnership between the Ministries of Defence and Steel Development for the production of Military hardware in a section of Ajaokuta Steel Company.
Recall that Minister Matawalle made the commendation during the meeting on the proposed partnership between the Ministry of Defence and Steel Development at Ship House, Abuja few weeks back as he noted that Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to actualizing the light steel mill of the Steel Complex to be able to produce iron which would be used for the production of several Military hardware and equipment.
The Ajaokuta Steel Company, a massive project built over 40 years ago would boost employment generation for Nigerians when the partnership between the two Ministries on revamping it comes to fruition.
Matawalle’s proactive activities in the defense Ministry which stands as a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of the Nigerian Military as welfare enhancers such as the Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) and others under the defence Ministry will bolster its operational efficiency in supporting the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Just like the saying, “ripe fruits attract more stones”, we are not surprised that Matawalle, Gbajabiamila and other strong die-hards of President Tinubu are prominently on the attack list.
We equally want to seize this opportunity to congratulate our dear brother and Senior Emerging Leader, Rt. Hon. Oko Jumbo on his emergence as the speaker of Rivers state house of Assembly as we urge him to lead the Rivers state House of assembly in the best interest of the good people of Rivers state as we in the same vein advise Governor Siminilayi Fubara of Rivers state to allow the courts determine the pending cases as regards the state house of Assembly while he goes ahead to use Executive orders to Govern the state in the interim following doctrine of necessity.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
God bless Nigerians.
Signed:
The President, Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria, Amb. Godstime Samuel
The Secretary, Arewa Youth Federation, Halimatu Idris
The President, Ohaneze Youth Forum, Mazi Nnamdi Obe
The clerk of Oduduwa Youth Parliament, Opoola Tajudeen
Member, Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Comr. Shuaibu Lado
The President of Federation of North Central Youths,
Comr. Al’ Mustapha Obaje
The Speaker, Nigerian Students Parliament, Comr. Mubarak Aliyu Rimi
