By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Nineteen Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement(NSNCM) for Peace, Unity, Empowerment and Development Initiative, are an amalgamation of 594 affiliated Registered associations of Northerners from the Nineteen Northern States and associations of Northerners Resident in the Seventeen Southern States.
Said it has opposed the protest been carried out by some All progressive Party members at headquarters of Department of State Security services, in a Press statement signed by Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, National President of the movement and made available to newsmen said
“Precisely on the 12th of November 2024, a publication made by “The FRONTIER” captioned “APC protestors storm DSS Headquarters, demand probe of the Defence Minister Matawalle over alleged ties with bandits in which they demanded the following
“to conduct an independent probe into serious allegations made by the current Governor accusing the Minister of sponsoring bandits and misappropriating State funds.
“and to uphold transparency and fairness of the probe, the Minister needs to step down from his position and subject himself to a thorough investigation.
“It would be recalled that a cabinet reshuffle has just taken place recently. The outcome of their return were based on performance indicators of each Minister(s) and their Ministries.
These performance indicators were not without all necessary clearances from all Security and Economic Agencies.
Both Minister and Minister of State had exemplary score cards.
“Not only were they retained as part of the Federal Executive Council as Ministers, but they retained their respective portfolios.
The AREWA Youth Consultative Forum(AYCF) were quick to give a response of which we at NSNCM are in full support.
The statement added “Our take in conjunction to theirs is that, this is not a time for unnecessary distraction.The situation bedeviling our collective security in the North and Nigeria as a whole requires all collaborative hands on deck.
“The protesters should have channeled their energy by synergizing in constructive information gathering. Forward their intelligence reports to security organs towards the eradication of banditry and other social vices that are eating up our peace….”No Peace, No Progress”.
“In this view we also implore the Minister and Minister of State Defence to stay focused on their mission to improve security in all aspects. Their successes so far are proof of their capabilities. What and that has been achieved should be maintained.
He maintained that “Divisive tactics and distractions have no place in our present circumstances for our regional stability. All powers are requested to sheath their swords and work together harmoniously to end this security infringement.