Northern youth groups have refused to relent in their north tour to voice their concerns over what they perceive as the “unjust treatment of former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello”, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The groups, notably the Northern Youth Movement for Good Governance and Democratic Values and the North Central Progressive Voice, joined forces in what they termed the “Northern Nigeria Solidarity Walk and World Press Conference,” as they converged in Yola as well as Maiduguri on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
The groups which earlier held a press conference in the capital of Adamawa, visited the Lamido of Adamawa HRH Alhaji Mohammed Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha at his Palace in Yola where they submitted a copy of their open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the royal father to convey their message to Mr President.
The letter begins with a respectful greeting to Tinubu and outlines the organization’s dedication to upholding the independence of the judiciary and civil society. It recounts the events of April 17th, 2024, when the EFCC conducted a raid on Yahaya Bello’s home, allegedly in connection with charges of money laundering. The group expresses concern over the EFCC’s actions and potential violations of constitutional principles and the rule of law.
Drawing attention to a court order issued by the Lokoja High Court on February 9th, 2024, which prohibited the EFCC from arresting or prosecuting Yahaya Bello, the letter highlights the EFCC’s subsequent appeal and the pending motion for a stay of execution.
The group criticises the EFCC’s decision to secure a warrant for Bello’s arrest from another court while the appeal was still pending, emphasising the importance of due process and respect for judicial authority.
The group in a similar fashion, moved to Maiduguri the Borno capital city on Friday where they held a special Jumaat service and offered special prayers for quick resolution of the saga.
Earlier in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno the group addressed the press and observed a solidarity walk to the State Government house to submit their Open letter to the Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum.
The group submitted the letter to the Governor for onward delivery to President Tinubu.
Their primary objective according to them is “to seek urgent intervention from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the ongoing face-off between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC.”
The coalition commenced their activities with a World Press Conference held at the NUJ Press Center in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, a few weeks ago and have continued to move around all the Northern States, where they issued an open letter addressed to President Tinubu, outlining their grievances and urging swift action to resolve the impasse between Bello and the EFCC.
It said it is “seeking President Tinubu’s intervention to foster peaceful resolutions.”
The groups emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing what they perceived as injustice and urged stakeholders to uphold democratic principles.
During the press conference, Mall Abubakar, the spokesperson for the coalition, commended Legal Practitioners and other Nationalists who have Advised the EFCC to follow due process in handling the matter.
As the coalition plans to continue their solidarity walks in other Northern states, their message reverberates across the nation, drawing attention to the need for ethical governance and the protection of individual rights within the Nigerian political landscape.
The group described President Tinubu as “an excellent believer of Rule of Law, due process and peaceful cohabitation, as such he should quickly intervene in the matter to avoid further crisis between the former Governor and EFCC.”
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