The Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement for Peace, Unity, Empowerment and Development Initiative (NSNCM) has opposed the protest been carried out by some members of the All progressive Party (APC) at headquarters of Department of State Security Services (DSS).
In a statement by its National President, Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, the amalgamation of affiliated associations in the Northerners states and associations of Northerners resident in the south, condemned the protesters’ demand that the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle be probed over alleged ties with bandits.
According to Aliyu, the protesters asked the government “to conduct an independent probe into serious allegations made by the current governor (of Zamfara State) accusing the Minister of sponsoring bandits and misappropriating state funds.
“And to uphold transparency and fairness of the probe, the Minister needs to step down from his position and subject himself to a thorough investigation”.
But NSNCM reminded the agitators that “a cabinet reshuffle has just taken place recently. The outcome of their return were based on performance indicators of each Minister and Ministry.
“These performance indicators were not without all necessary clearances from all security and economic agencies.
Both Minister and Minister of State (of Defence) had exemplary score cards.
“Not only were they retained as part of the Federal Executive Council as Ministers, they retained their respective portfolios”.
NSNCM said that the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum was quick to give a response “of which we at NSNCM are in full support”.
The statement added “Our take in conjunction with theirs is that, this is not a time for unnecessary distraction. The situation bedeviling our collective security in the North and Nigeria as a whole requires all collaborative hands on deck.
“The protesters should have channeled their energy by synergising in constructive information gathering; forward their intelligence reports to security organs towards the eradication of banditry and other social vices that are eating up our peace.
“In this view, we also implore the Minister and Minister of State for Defence to stay focused on their mission to improve security in all aspects. Their successes so far are proof of their capabilities. What has been achieved should be maintained”.
Aliyu said that “divisive tactics and distractions have no place in our present circumstances for our regional stability. All powers are requested to sheath their swords and work together harmoniously to end this security infringement”.
