The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has raised serious concerns regarding the surge in sponsored protests to discredit the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. NAN, led by Chairman Salihu Suleiman, stated in Abuja, urging the APC to take decisive action against this alarming trend.
Expressing deep worries over the funding of unruly demonstrators to disrupt public peace under the guise of protests, NAN emphasized that these actions serve hidden agendas rather than genuine grievances.
NAN highlighted a recent protest orchestrated by Zamfara State as a prime example of this disturbing trend. They asserted that such protests are not genuine expressions of discontent but calculated attempts to undermine the presidency and embarrass the government.
Moreover, NAN criticized the deliberate targeting of Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, a strong supporter of President Tinubu, indicating the political motives behind these protests. They argued that such actions sow division and discord within the ruling party.
Emphasizing the importance of legitimate protests in a democratic society, NAN stressed that when external forces with ulterior motives manipulate them, they lose their credibility and become tools for manipulation and deception.
NAN called on the APC leadership to swiftly address and eliminate sponsored dissent, ensuring the party remains a symbol of integrity and transparency. They demanded the identification and appropriate punishment of the sponsors behind such protests, highlighting the necessity of holding accountable those who manipulate public opinion for personal gain.
In conclusion, NAN warned that sponsored dissent poses a significant threat to the political system’s integrity and undermines public trust in leadership. They urged the APC to heed their call for decisive action, emphasizing the importance of upholding transparency and accountability to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
