A coalition of civil society groups, Conference of Civil Society for Peace, Security and National Development, has criticised the protests staged against President Muhammadu Buhari administration by the Coalition for Revolution (CORE), organisers of #RevolutionNow protests.
The CORE, it would be recalled, staged a peaceful march in Abuja, Lagos, Ondo and Osun states on August 5, 2020 to commemorate the first anniversary of its nationwide protests for better Nigeria started on August 5, 2019, which was aborted following clampdown by security agencies.
But, a statement in Abuja signed by its conveners, Mike Msuaan and Mallam Adamu Kabir Matazu, alleged that the promoters of the movement were sponsored by some foreign enemies and disgruntled elements in the political circle to discredit the administration of President Buhari and destabilise the country.
While acknowledging that the country was facing myriad of challenges, the group noted that visible steps had been taken by the present administration in a bid to address the challenges.
Therefore, the group urged all well-meaning Nigerians to stand in solidarity with the government.
According to the statement, “Nigeria is a democratic state and as such all citizens must be subject to the tenets of democracy.
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“We must all rise up as a people to resist the antics of the likes of Omoyele Sowore, Deji Adeyanju and their cohorts who have suddenly found reasons to speak for the rest of us.
“It is saddening that at a time Coronavirus is ravaging the world, the acclaimed activists took advantage of poorly informed citizens to march on the streets without adherence to COVID-19 protocols for protest they know nothing about.
“We have classified information that most of those leading protests against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari are persons with links to terrorist organisations.
“Most of these individuals were before now surviving on proceeds of corruption which the present administration is working tooth and nail to block.
“For this group of people who are used to lavish lifestyles, survival is of essence and as such has found patronage in working to discredit the nation under the guise of activism.”
The group vowed to mobilise well-meaning Nigerians to resist any further attempt by disgruntled elements to undermine the President Buhari administration.
