A group, Coalition for Good Governance and Open Leadership in Nigeria (CGGOLN) has cautioned against misuse of activism for personal gain and tools for blackmail against government agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), among others, just as it declared that its commitment to transparency in governance was unwavering.
CGGOLN expressed this concern at a press conference titled: “The Sustained Campaign of Calumny and Blackmail of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL Leadership and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,” which took place at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos and addressed by its spokesperson, Comrade Declan Ihekhiare.
The coalition said that genuine activism was welcomed, but quickly condemned “instances where activism deviates into avenues for personal enrichment and unwarranted attacks on critical institutions.”
Speaking at the press conference, which was attended by Comrades Gbenga Soloki, Sina Loremikan, Rasak Oladosu, among other members of the coalition, Ihekhiare, while reiterating the organization’s commitment to democracy, and transparency in governance, advocated for thorough investigation of any allegations of wrongdoing within public institutions, including the NNPC and CBN.
This was just as he further expressed concern about attempts by those he described as self-proclaimed activists to exploit public concerns regarding the NNPC and CBN, saying that their “planned protests, coupled with false accusations on national TV, indicate a sinister agenda aimed at coercing the affected agencies.
“We emphasize the importance of maintaining a fair and impartial approach to allegations against public officials.
“Matters of this nature should be appropriately addressed through law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to ensure a just and objective process,” Ihekhiare said.
Ihekhiare, therefore, urged Nigerians to be vigilant and discerning in the face of such actions by those he described as career anti-corruption crusaders, warning that the current security challenges in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) necessitated “a responsible approach to protests by avoiding actions that may lead to security breaches.”
Besides, he also called on those planning to stage such protests to cease activities that could jeopardize security and refrain from attempting to manipulate public sentiments for personal gain, reiterating that CGGOLN remained “committed to the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance, and we encourage all stakeholders to act responsibly for the collective benefit of Nigeria.”
and then