A group, the Zamfara Youth Indigenes Forum (ZYIF) have asked the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari to stop the coordination of a planned protest against the Service Chiefs and the Ministers of Defence.
The group, in a statement signed by Hayatu Jafarudeen, stated that some of its members had been called to join the protest, while being offered money to participate.
“Our group has been reliably informed of a planned protest targeting the Service Chiefs and the Ministers of Defence, which, according to information available to us, is being coordinated by a serving Senator from Zamfara State.
“This information came to our attention after some of our members were approached and invited to participate in the planned demonstration. We have been informed that those contacted were allegedly offered substantial sums of money to mobilise individuals in Zamfara State to make inflammatory statements against the President, the Service Chiefs, and the Ministers of Defence, while also calling for their removal from office.”
The Zamfara-based forum urged Nigerians not to be manipulated by the protest, were it to hold, while also calling on the Senator to reconsider his involvement in the protest.
“We consider it necessary to alert the President, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and all well-meaning Nigerians who have the nation’s interests at heart not to be misled or manipulated by what appears to be a politically motivated exercise disguised as public agitation.
“We also call on the Senator in question, who is himself a former governor and a senior member of the APC, to reconsider and abandon any involvement in the proposed protest,” the group stated. “At a time when the nation is confronting serious security challenges, all patriotic leaders should be working to strengthen public confidence in our security institutions rather than undermine them.”
It further stated that the protest was against the interest of the nation and its armed forces, and that such a campaign against the Armed Forces would hurt the morale of troops.
“This proposed protest does not serve the interests of the gallant men and women of our Armed Forces, who continue to make enormous sacrifices in the defence of our country. Neither does it advance the collective interest of the government, the APC, or the Nigerian people. It is particularly regrettable that such an initiative is allegedly being championed by a serving member of the ruling party.
“A campaign aimed at discrediting the nation’s security leadership without regard for the ongoing efforts and sacrifices being made on the front lines risks weakening morale and emboldening those who seek to destabilise our country.”
The Zamfara Youth Indigenes Forum (ZYIF) noted that despite the insecurity challenges being faced by the country, the government was not resting on its oars to address them.
“We recognise that the security challenges confronting Nigeria are complex and deeply rooted. We also acknowledge that the current administration is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to address these issues, not only through military operations but also by targeting the networks that sustain criminal activities.
“The recent arrests and neutralisation of notorious bandit leaders, the disruption of arms supply chains, and the crackdown on criminal sponsors demonstrate that the government is taking deliberate and sustained action to restore peace and security.
It is therefore evident that the government is not resting on its oars. Rather, it is confronting insecurity with determination and a clear sense of purpose.
“We urge Nigerians to continue supporting our troops, the Service Chiefs, the Ministers of Defence, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as they work tirelessly to overcome these challenges. With unity, patience, and sustained national support, we remain confident that the current security difficulties will be progressively overcome and that a safer and more secure Nigeria will emerge,” the group stated.
