2023: Media, Civil Society advised against being used as instruments of blackmail

Group operating under the aegis of North East Pressure and Rescue group and Arewa youth have called on the media and the Civil Society not to allow themselves being used as an instrument and weapon of blackmail by desperate politicians who would want to use them to cover up their inefficiencies and woeful performance in office.

The group led by the Coordinator of the North East pressure group and chieftain of the All progressive Congress ( APC), Dr. Garus Gololo, gave the advice in Abuja on Sunday at a press conference while reacting to a statement credited to a self-styled Corruption Track Network( CTN) on alleged ultimatum given to the former Chief of Air staff, Air marshal Sadique Abubakar and his wife, Sadiya Umar Farouq, the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development over an alleged allegations of various forms of corruption practices and human right abuses.

The CTN in a statement signed by the Country Director of CTN, Idris Inusa which had gone viral on the social media “demanded that the duo respond to the allegations within two weeks within which without which they will be sued for criminal prosecution and also face public actions.”

The CTN claimed in its statement that “ The organization is is in receipt of several allegations leveled againf the retired military officer which include corruption , human right abuses , unlawful recruitment and arming of Youths in Bauchi state as well as extra judicial killings that took place under his watch.”

The North East Pressure and rescue group at a joint press conference with Arewa youth said that “These allegations coming at the time the ex – chief of staff, Sadiq is focused on delivery of the dividend of democracy and working with the leadership of the All progressive Congress, ( APC), in the state and the Federal to deliver Bauchi state from the yoke of four years of locust and misrule by the opposition is based on the figment of the imaginations of the writers and their sponsors.”

Gololo said that “It is not for the group to speak for the military and the Humanitarian office, but gullible Nigerians may believe the serial lies concocted to cast wrinkles on the achievements of the former Chief of Air staff, sadiq and his wife, Sadyiya. The military did not need a Civil society in its investigation and prosecution if Marshal Sadiq , the APC candidate has committed any financial infractions or extra judicial killing while in office.”

“The military has its own internal mechanism to check excesses and if it is s because he is contesting election in Bauchi state is what has qualified him and he is being singled out among the service chiefs, then it is left for the public to judge.”

“Before this press briefing we have checked records of his performance in office and since he joined the governorship race in Bauchi state, there is nothing that suggest his under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC ), or any other anti – graft agents or even the police authority for a heinous crime as arming youth in Bauchi state”

He further stated that” while the former chief Air staff may not dignify the author of this libelous statement, the media should verify their facts using available network and the freedom of Information Act. To verify their facts before going to press to avoid redress that may jeopardize the relationship he has built over the years as officer and until recently his foray into politics”

The group challenge the CTN to make its findings public otherwise after the two weeks ultimatum they have no other option to drag them before competent court of jurisdiction.

Gololo said that “ Like biblical story of voice of Easu and the hand of Jacob, we believe the opposition in Bauchi state are behind the statement, but urged the public to dismiss any allegation against the former chief of air staff whose contributions to the fight against insurgency in the entire North East has been applauded . In Bauchi state the youth through his NGO has benefitted more than any group in the North East. He built an Airstrip in Bauchi state, facilitated the recruitment of youth into the Air force and that is person somebody is accusing of sponsoring crisis in the state” the group stated.