The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take swift and decisive action against the growing trend of sponsored protests aimed at ridiculing the party and President Bola Tinubu.
According to NAN Chairman Salihu Suleiman, the recent protest sponsored from Zamfara State is a clear example of this alarming trend, which involves financing unruly crowds to engage in misconduct under the guise of protest.
Sponsored Protests Undermine Democracy
The NAN believes that these protests serve hidden agendas rather than genuine grievances and are a calculated attempt to undermine the presidency and embarrass the government. The deliberate targeting of Minister of State Defence Bello Matawalle, a dedicated supporter of President Tinubu, demonstrates that this protest was driven by political motives seeking to sow division and discord within the ruling party.
APC Must Take a Stand Against Sponsored Dissent
The NAN emphasizes that protests play a vital role in any democratic society, but when hijacked by external forces with ulterior motives, they lose their legitimacy and become tools for manipulation and deception. The leaders of the APC must take a firm stance against sponsored dissent and ensure that the party remains a symbol of integrity and transparency.
Exposing and Sanctioning Sponsors is Crucial
The NAN calls for the sponsors of such protests to be exposed and appropriately sanctioned, as this is a necessary step in rooting out this insidious practice. Those who seek to manipulate public opinion for personal gain must be held accountable for their actions, and the APC leadership must demonstrate that they will not tolerate such behavior within their ranks.
Sponsored Dissent Threatens Political Integrity
Sponsored dissent represents a dangerous trend that threatens the integrity of the political system and undermines the trust of the people in their leaders. The APC must take decisive action to address and eradicate this practice, upholding its commitment to transparency and accountability and ensuring that Nigeria’s democracy remains strong and vibrant.