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Tag: NEYGA

  • NEYGA slams Ezekwesili over defence of Natasha, demands proof of allegations

    NEYGA slams Ezekwesili over defence of Natasha, demands proof of allegations

    The Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA) has criticised former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, over her public defence of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    In a statement released by its spokesperson, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, the group accused Ezekwesili of encouraging a culture of unverified allegations in Nigeria’s political discourse, following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate.

    The senator’s suspension came after she made public accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio—claims NEYGA described as unsubstantiated.

    “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must understand that the burden of proof lies on her,” Dan-Musa said. “She cannot level serious allegations against public officials and expect to avoid scrutiny. If her claims are genuine, she should take them to court. The judiciary is not a theatre stage.”

    NEYGA also faulted Ezekwesili’s support for the senator, accusing her of inconsistency in her stance on accountability and due process.

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    The group commended the Senate President’s legal approach to the matter, describing his decision to file a petition through the Attorney General of the Federation as a responsible and lawful response.

    “This is how institutions should work—through established legal channels, not emotional outbursts or media trials,” NEYGA said. “Ironically, those attacking the Senate now would have cried cover-up had the leadership remained silent.”

    Warning of broader implications, the group expressed concern that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations, which have drawn international attention, could harm Nigeria’s global image.

    “The world is watching—from the United Nations to foreign media outlets,” Dan-Musa noted. “Baseless accusations not only discredit the individual but also dent Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage.”

    NEYGA declared: “The era of playing the victim without evidence is over. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan must prove her claims in court or face the consequences. No one is above the law.”

    The group reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s legal institutions and promoting political accountability.

  • Don’t sabotage war on terrorism, NEYGA warns, lauds DSS

    Don’t sabotage war on terrorism, NEYGA warns, lauds DSS

    The Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA) has cautioned against actions that could undermine Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, expressing concern over what it described as an emerging campaign to discredit the Department of State Services (DSS) and weaken public confidence in the agency.

    In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, NEYGA spokesperson Ibrahim Dan-Musa commended the DSS for its vital role in ensuring national stability and combating banditry and terrorism.

    Dan-Musa dismissed recent reports allegedly from unidentified local hunters accusing DSS operatives of misusing advanced telephone tracking technology, describing them as baseless and part of a smear campaign.

    “The reports claimed that the technology, meant to aid in the rescue of kidnap victims, was instead being used by some operatives to extort money from criminals in exchange for concealing their locations.

    “While we do not, and certainly cannot, speak officially for the DSS, we must state without fear of contradiction that such stories were fabricated to tarnish the agency’s image.

    “We are not surprised that this falsehood is being spread by the same self-styled activist who falsely accused the DSS of abducting civil rights activist, Comrade Usman Okai Austin, to serve certain political interests. Comrade Austin has since disowned the said activist and publicly apologized for his unfounded allegations against the northern governor.”

    The group also recalled how the same “activist,” in a viral video, falsely accused the DSS of invading the Federal High Court on the day the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned former Governor Yahaya Bello.

    “It turned out that no DSS operative was anywhere near the court on the said day,” the group pointed out.

    “We cannot thank President Bola Tinubu enough for appointing a thoroughbred professional like Mr. Tosin Ajayi as Director General of the DSS. From the agency’s remarkable exploits since Ajayi assumed office, we are proud to say that President Tinubu made an excellent choice.

    “We in the North are particularly pleased with the relentless efforts of the DSS to make the North and the rest of Nigeria safer. Very recently, Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa publicly praised the DSS—not only for seizing large caches of arms and arresting or neutralizing scores of bandits and kidnappers, but also for securing the release of kidnapped Roman Catholic priests,” the group said.

    “All of these achievements poke holes in the tissue of lies being peddled by the self-styled activist,” it stressed.

    The group further highlighted an incident from 2018, when a court awarded ₦10 million in damages against the DSS over the 2016 accidental shooting in Bauchi of a businessman originally from Sokoto. 

    “No Director General agreed to pay the compensation until Tosin Ajayi came into office. Not only did he pay the ₦10 million, he doubled the amount. Nothing could be more humane. We deeply commend DG Ajayi for that,” the group said.

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    NEYGA also recalled recent public apologies issued by several media outlets for falsely reporting that the DSS stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly. 

    “The DSS’s acceptance of the apologies and decision to drop charges against the media houses is a sign of civility by the secret police, which we wholeheartedly commend,” the group added.

    “We had imagined that, as a serial contestant for the office of President, this activist would be more circumspect, lie less, and demonstrate greater patriotism in the way he speaks about Nigeria—especially if, by some chance, he ends up occupying the nation’s highest office one day. Sadly, that has not been the case,” NEYGA said.

    “We commend the maturity of the DSS leadership for enduring the barrage of lies constantly thrown at it by these so-called activists. Nigerians have seen through their antics and know they do not mean well for our beloved country.

    “We urge the DSS not to be distracted by these merchants of falsehood and to remain steadfast on the path of making Nigeria safer,” the group said.