From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has condemned in strong terms the alleged $50,000 inducement plot to tarnish the image of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, saying that it is a threat to undermine Nigeria’s stability.
The AYCF and NAN in separate statements issued and made available to newsmen raised particular concerns over the integrity of political leadership in Nigeria’s northern region with revelations specifically pointing to a plot targeting prominent figures, including the Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister of State for Defence Matawalle, and Senator AbdulAziz Yari.
According the statements signed by Yerima Shettima, President General of AYCF and Salifu Suleiman, Chairman of NAN, “the orchestrations, revealed by one Abdul DanBature, one of the organizers of the August 1 protests, particularly the $50,000 scheme focused on Minister Matawalle, cast a long shadow over the political landscape, engendering suspicions about the motives behind such malign activities”.
The northern groups therefore called for a deeper inquiry into the political dynamics that may underlie these attacks apparently aimed at undermining the political influence of northern leaders, who are deemed crucial to the support base of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“By targeting northern key figures, the orchestrators of such scheme may be attempting to create divisions between the President and the northern political ranks, thereby destabilizing the broader political landscape of Nigeria.
“The implications of such blackmail campaigns possess the potential to disrupt governance and compromise the effectiveness of leadership, particularly at a time when national unity and stability are paramount.
“The $50,000 plot against Minister Matawalle serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths to which President Tinubu’s adversaries go to in their desperation to strip him of the influence of such powerful political figures in the North.
“The specificity of Matawalle as the target illustrates a calculated approach to weaken the President’s existing political structure within the northern region. Minister Matawalle’s pivotal role in the defence sector amplifies the stakes involved, suggesting that such attacks could also compromise national security by diverting attention from pressing matters of state” both statements emphasized.
“The AYCF cautions that unrestrained unrest in these regions could devolve into pervasive violence, thereby ushering Nigeria toward a state of chaos that could spiral beyond recovery. Such scenarios evoke an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear, undermining the very tenets of governance and security.
“In addressing these alarming revelations, it becomes imperative for relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigations into the claims made by the AYCF.
“The integrity of the political system must be upheld, and those engaging in blackmail schemes should be held accountable to restore public confidence in governance”. AYCF said.
For NAN, “The audacity of offering $50,000 to compromise the credibility of a high-ranking Minister reflects the serious intent of these destabilizing forces. “This suggests a coordinated effort, fueled by international actors, to undermine governance and national cohesion in Nigeria.”
The NAN statement also highlighted the recent emergence of a video featuring notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, making unsubstantiated allegations against Minister Matawalle.
“The timing of these allegations, coupled with the foiled #Endbadgovernance protests, and the ugly dimensions they took in northern Nigeria have painted a grim picture of an orchestrated campaign intended to destabilize the North and weaken the federal government’s machinery.
“The fact that a sum as significant as $50,000 was allegedly offered to tarnish the image of a senior government official points to a meticulously orchestrated campaign with potentially dire consequences. This campaign appears to transcend mere political rivalry, revealing a concerning agenda fueled by actors whose interests lie outside Nigeria’s stability.
“In light of these alarming developments, the NAN called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration to take proactive measures to counteract the destabilizing maneuvers of these groups. The Network emphasizes the need for the government to engage in comprehensive consultations with genuine Northern groups and critical stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s security and stability ahead the crucial 2027 elections.
“The principles underpinning international laws, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), affirm that while peaceful protest is a vestige of democracy, it does not provide carte blanche for inciting violence or civil disobedience. Reinforcing the rule of law, while respecting citizens’ rights, is essential in preserving the social contract.
“Consequently, the NAN urged the international community to take a firm stance against the use of their space and media platforms to endorse or promote activities that could destabilize Nigeria. The involvement of foreign entities in fostering unrest must not be overlooked, as allowing such behavior to persist undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty and endangers the peace and stability of the wider sub-Saharan region”. The statement said.