A pro-democracy group, THE CITIZENS, has expressed its appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to tackling Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
The group, during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, commended the federal government, as well as the judiciary, for their support in strengthening democracy.
They specifically highlighted the recent judicial pronouncements affirming the financial autonomy of local governments and the legal status of key anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU.
In their statement, the group condemned the actions of certain individuals, believed to be paid agents, who have been attempting to tarnish the reputation of key figures in the current administration.
They expressed particular support for Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, commending his diligence and loyalty to President Tinubu.
The statement reads in part: “We urge the federal government to consider amending our laws to control the spread of false information, cyber-bullying, and criminal defamation of character through both print and social media channels. These activities could disrupt public peace.”
The group also expressed concern over the campaign of calumny aimed at high-ranking officials like the National Security Adviser (NSA), Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister.
They believe this smear campaign is driven by political interests ahead of the 2027 General Elections, with figures like Jackson Ude identified as key players in this effort.
Femi Gbajabiamila was particularly praised for his longstanding commitment to integrity and due process. The group pointed to his rejection of the National Honours Award as a symbolic act to advocate for prioritizing the welfare of Nigerians, following in the footsteps of other notable figures such as Chinua Achebe and Prof.
Alele-Williams. Additionally, they highlighted Gbajabiamila’s leadership in the 2007 Movement within the House of Representatives, which helped defeat the controversial Third-Term Agenda.
In their assessment, Gbajabiamila’s integrity and impeccable character make him one of Nigeria’s finest legislators. The group expressed its readiness to support the government in ensuring the country’s progress.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of THE CITIZENS, Nnanna Raphael Igbokwe, also voiced strong support for Gbajabiamila, stating that the attacks against him were orchestrated by mercantile agents who opposed his stance on defining consensus candidates in the 2022 Electoral Act.
Igbokwe noted that Gbajabiamila’s firm stance on democratic principles, which insisted that candidates should emerge through primaries rather than subjective decisions, was a clear demonstration of his dedication to democracy.
Other members of the Board of Trustees of THE CITIZENS present at the press conference included Dr. Ibrahim Olaifa, Hon. Lawal Abubakar, Hon. Matthew Omeghara, and Dr. Elijah Auta.
In closing, the group reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the government at all levels, with a focus