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ABUJA – A pro-democracy and public interest organization, The Citizens, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges through robust measures.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja today, the group commended the Federal Government and the judiciary for their roles in strengthening democracy, particularly through recent rulings on the financial autonomy of local governments.
They also lauded the affirmation of the legal status of key anti-corruption institutions, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
They, however, expressed strong disapproval of the relentless efforts by certain paid agents to tarnish the reputation of key officers in the current administration.
The group commended the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for his unwavering diligence in service and steadfast loyalty to President Bola Tinubu.
In a press release, they stated:
“We call on the federal government to consider amending existing laws to address the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and criminal defamation of character through electronic, print, and social media platforms. Such acts pose a serious threat to public peace and must be tackled decisively.”
He firmly resisted all offers and courageously led the “2007 Movement” in the House of Representatives, which successfully thwarted the infamous Third Term Agenda.
These actions are a testament to his unwavering integrity and impeccable character, the release noted.
A man of enviable qualities, he stands out for his good character, refined personality, and exceptional spirit. His contributions to the legislature have earned him a place among the finest lawmakers ever produced by the Nigerian Parliament.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his courage and political will to push through the financial autonomy of the Local Governments, they urged him to ensure effective implementation of the policy so that the desired development gets to the grassroots.
We make bold to state our readiness as Nigerian Citizens to support Government at all levels to making Nigeria better for us all, the release concluded.
Also lending his voice, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of The Citizens, Nnanna Raphael Igbokwe, expressed his dismay at the activities of certain individuals he described as “mercantile agents.” According to Igbokwe, these agents are merely acting out a script handed down by their masters, targeting Femi Gbajabiamila for refusing to bow to pressure aimed at frustrating the passage of the 2022 Electoral Act.
Igbokwe noted that these detractors were vehemently opposed to the inclusion of a clear definition of “consensus candidate” in the Act. He alleged that their ultimate goal was to manipulate the process in favor of a weak candidate emerging from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on his part reiterated his commitment to upholding democratic principles, emphasizing that the qualifications or disqualifications of any candidate must strictly adhere to the provisions outlined in the Constitution.
He stressed that candidates should emerge through transparent and democratic processes, such as party primaries, rather than being imposed by a select few under the pretext of a consensus arrangement. According to him, this approach ensures fairness and respects the will of the people.
“Democracy thrives when the people have a voice in determining their leaders, not when decisions are made arbitrarily in the guise of consensus,” Gbajabiamila declared.
The press conference, held under the auspices of The Citizen, also had in attendance notable members of its Board of Trustees, including Dr. Ibrahim Olaifa, Hon. Lawal Abubakar, Hon. Matthew Omeghara, and Dr. Elijah Auta.
