The All Progressives Congress Northern Elites Development Group has accused a two-term House of Representatives member from Zamfara State of sponsoring a youth protest against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad.
The protest took place at the premises of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Headquarters in Abuja.
The group alleged that the lawmaker collaborated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration to incite the protesters against the Minister.
According to the spokesperson for the group, Hashimu Ado Danmalam, “the actions of the APC lawmaker are deemed as unnecessary, foolish, and politically intolerant, aimed at sowing discord within the party and hindering progress both in Zamfara State and Nigeria at large.”
The group further alleged that “the campaign against the Minister is fueled by individuals who are disgruntled by his performance and his defense of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s interests in the region.”
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They asserted that “the Minister’s steadfast commitment to President Tinubu’s agenda has earned him adversaries, including the lawmaker, who harbors resentment towards the Presidency for not supporting his candidature for speakership.”
The group accused the lawmaker of “collaborating with senior officials of the Zamfara state government, under the PDP, to recruit and sponsor unsuspecting students from Nasarawa State University and unemployed youths in Abuja to partake in the protest.”
The group posted that majority of the protesters do not understand the workings of the Zamfara politics and are merely pawns manipulated by their sponsors for nefarious purposes.
The group called for swift action by the leadership of the APC, particularly the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, to initiate a thorough investigation into the matter.
They emphasized the need for accountability and support the EFCC’s endeavours to scrutinize the political officeholders suspected of wrongdoing.
They however cautioned against succumbing to emotional impulses, and urged the EFCC to remain vigilant and discerning in its pursuit of justice.
“As the nation approaches the 2027 elections,” the group said, it is imperative for political actors to prioritize unity and progress over petty grievances, thereby fostering a conducive environment for democratic governance and sustainable development.”
