Tinubu Faces Northern Youths Fury: Urgent Intervention Needed in Bello-EFCC Clash »

Continuing the northern Nigeria solidarity walk and world press onference to address what they tagged “invasion of the residence and persecution” of the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the North Central Progressive Voice and other youth groups have taken their peaceful protest to Bauchi and Gombe States, meeting stakeholders and urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter.

The famous Northern Youth Movement for Good Governance and Democratic Values also joined forces with the North Central Progressive Voice in their nationwide call for an amicable resolution in the face-off between the former Governor and EFCC.

The coalition of the youth groups converged in Bauchi, the capital of Bauchi State, on Monday, to voice their grievances against what they perceived as an “abuse of the rule of law by the EFCC.”

The group held a world Press Conference at the NUJ Press Center in Bauchi with an open letter addressed to President Tinubu. After the world Press Conference, the Groups took a copy of the open letter to His Eminence Sheikh Dairu Bauchi. The Group described Sheikh Dairu Bauchi as a father of the nation who can call ‘His Children” to order and ensure a very peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis between the EFCC and Bello.

In a similar move, the groups, in their very large numbers, proceeded to Gombe, the capital of Gombe State, where they took over major streets of the city for several hours, causing gridlock to commuters along the main street leading to the Gombe Government House.

The group had their Press Conference at the Hotel de Unique Gombe. The leadership of the group thanked the people of Gombe for coming out in large numbers for the solidarity walk and for also attending the 8th world Press Conference, drawing the attention of President Tinubu to bring the Bello vs EFCC crisis to an amicable end.

Representing various communities across the entire Northern states, the group called for immediate “intervention from President Tinubu concerning the recent actions of the EFCC towards Bello, and other individuals who have suffered similar harassment at the hands of the commission.”

In the world press conference held at the Kaduna State capital, the group’s spokesperson, Alhaji Ismaila Danladi, passionately addressed the media, denouncing the EFCC’s raid on Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s residence in Abuja. Urging President Tinubu to rein in the EFCC, Alhaji Danladi emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and preventing any potential national embarrassment stemming from the ongoing face-off between Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Immediate Past Governor of Kogi State, and EFCC.

In addition to the press conference, the Coalition penned an open letter to President Tinubu, appealing for his swift intervention in the matter. The group highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for a resolution to prevent further escalation.

Taking proactive steps to ensure their message reaches the highest echelons of power, representatives of the group delivered the open letter to the Executive Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, with the intention of forwarding it to President Bola Tinubu for prompt action.

Their message echoed loudly as they insisted that they would not rest until President Tinubu intervened, demanding that the EFCC adhere to the principles of the rule of law in the ongoing dispute with Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

As the nation watches closely, the actions of the Coalition serve as a reminder of the power of grassroots movements and the importance of safeguarding democratic principles in Nigeria.

The Coalition thanked Nigerians for standing by the truth as “various public affairs analysts and legal practitioners of note have condemned in its entirety the EFCC’s approach to the matter. While others called it media trials, some people referred to it as persecution.”

“Bello is the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, who won Numerous Awards for transparency and accountability,” the group said.

The Group has scheduled their other Solidarity walk in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa in a few days to come.