Many of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) opposing President Muhammadu Buhari, were doing so now because the President refused to agreed to their outrageous demands at the expense of the country.
The Executive Secretary, Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) and President, Coalition of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Good Governance in Nigeria (COCMEGG), Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, and the Secretary General, James Okoronkwo, said this on Monday in Abuja, at a press conference on the State of the Nation.
Aigbegbele at the event which also witnessed the passing of a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari Administration, urged Nigerians to ignore a statement by a self-acclaimed coalition of 70 CSOs across Nigeria to pass a vote of no confidence on President Buhari’s administration.
According to him, the so called 70 CSOs cannot speak Nigerians, especially that COCMEGG is an umbrella body of over 350 CSOs, NGOs, human rights activists and media executives, among others.
“These co-travellers of CSOs, NGOs and groups masquerading themselves as conscience of the Nation, have been wining and dining with the same present administration since they took over the mantle of leadership in 2015.
“Our findings revealed that, instead of offering positive and constructive advice, the group prefers rather to go cap-in-hand, soliciting and arm-twisting the present administration to harken to their outrageous demands, failure to which, they now cajole and blackmail the present administration, in order to achieve their selfish agenda.
“We also have it on good authority that these groups have been sponsored to stampede the government of President Buhari, whose only perceived crime is that the government has refused to play along their story line. We still urge the government to remain steadfast, focused, and not be distracted from concentrating on its avowed agenda to safeguard lives and property in Nigeria and the delivery of good democracy dividends to the grassroots,” Aigbegbele said.
He also urged the international community, politicians and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with government in its endeavour to protect lives and property in Nigeria.
He said, “We also inform the world that, despite the CSOs’ insinuations, Nigeria is safe for investments as it is a choice destination and an investment haven.
“It is a known fact that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari inherited a ramshackle military with obsolete equipment, low morale. But today’s Armed Forces can boast of state-of-the-art equipment, armoury and one of the best standing forces in Africa.
“We want to let Nigerians know that security is on the concurrent list of the Nigerian Constitution, and, as such, everyone’s business and should not be left to the government alone. Therefore, these CSOs that are supposed to be partners in progress with government, have remained passive and aloof to these security challenges and allowing themselves to be used as pawns against the hard-working administration of President Muhammadu Buhari”.
