A pro-democracy and public interest group known as THE CITIZENS has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment in putting adequate measures to surmount Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
At a press conference held in Abuja today, they commended the federal government and judiciary for sustainance of democracy through recent pronouncements on financial autonomy of local governments and affirmation of the legal status of both the EFCC, ICPC and NFIU.
They however frowned at fruitless efforts by some paid agents to malign the image of key officers of the present government.
They commended Rt.Hon Gbajabiamila for his diligence to Service and unflinching loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu .
The press release read in part:
“We urge the federal government to consider amending our laws to control spread of false information, cyber-bullying and criminal defamation of character through electronic, print and social media channels”. These are acts likely to cause breach of public peace.
They noted that the likes of the NSA, CDS, and FCT Minister have not been spared of this campaign of calumny which is suspected geared towards 2027 General elections, and where opportunity has presented the likes of Jackson Ude and other serial blackmailers as willing tools.
The Citizens BoT members confessed that Femi Gbajabiamila is known for his advocacy for due process and integrity. It is on record that he rejected the National Honours award to drive home his call to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians. Making him the 3rd in line to do so after Chenue Achebe and Prof Alele Williams.
He resisted all offers, and led the “2007 movement ” in the House of Representatives that saw to the defeat the 3rd term Agenda.
All these lay credence to his integrity and impeccable character, the release stated.
He is the envy of many, as a man of good character, refined personality and excellent spirit. He remains one of the finest Legislators the Nigerian Legislature has ever produced.
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 of THE CITIZENS, Nnanna Rapheal Igbokwe said he and other BoT members knows the stock in trade of the mercantile agents who are playing the script of their masters , and looking for every means to get at Femi Gbajabiamila for turning down all entreaties to frustrate the passage of the 2022 Electoral Act which defined consensus candidate. These persons were aversed to defining consensus candidate in the Act, all in their bid to ensure
that a weak candidate emerges from APC.
As a democrat, Gbajabiamila stood his grounds and insisted that only grounds specified in the constitution shall form basis of qualification or disqualification of any candidate. Besides candidates should emerge through a democratic means( primaries) rather than through subjective decision of a few under the guise of consensus candidate.
Other members of Board of Trustees of The Citizen present at the press conference include Dr. Ibrahim Olaifa, Hon. Lawal Abubakar and Hon. Matthew Omeghara and Dr Elijah Auta.
