Northern Group Rejects N200 Million Bribe to Stage Protest Against Tinubu, Matawalle
An advocacy group based in northern Nigeria has accused proxies linked to the Zamfara State Government of attempting to bribe them with N200 million ($440,000) to orchestrate a protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
The group, the Northern Socio-Political Rights Network (NSPRN), firmly rejected the offer, describing it as a calculated effort to undermine the federal government.
In a statement released on Saturday in Kaduna, NSPRN’s president, Mohammed Farouk Lawal, detailed the alleged approach by intermediaries.
He claimed that the bribe was proposed earlier this week through third-party emissaries, with instructions to mobilize a large-scale demonstration in Abuja. The protest was intended to publicly accuse President Tinubu’s administration of shielding Matawalle from ongoing corruption investigations.
“We were approached by individuals claiming to represent high-ranking officials in Zamfara. They offered us N200 million to organise a large-scale protest in Abuja, targeting President Tinubu and Dr. Matawalle,” Lawal said in the statement. “The aim was to give the impression that the North has turned against the president and that there is widespread outrage over perceived protection of certain ministers from investigation. We rejected the offer outright.”
Lawal further alleged that the plot was part of a broader campaign to weaken the federal government’s influence in the North-West region by discrediting key appointees loyal to Tinubu.
He emphasized that NSPRN, as an organization focused on socio-political advocacy, would not participate in what he described as “fabricated efforts to sow discord.”
The allegations come amid heightened political tensions in Nigeria, particularly in the northern states, where issues of governance, corruption, and regional loyalty have been points of contention. Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, has faced scrutiny over allegations of corruption during his tenure, though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintains his innocence.
Zamfara State Government officials have not yet responded to the claims made by NSPRN. Attempts to reach representatives for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
This incident highlights the growing concerns over the use of financial incentives to influence public protests in Nigeria, a country where demonstrations have played a significant role in shaping political discourse. Advocacy groups like NSPRN have increasingly positioned themselves as watchdogs against such manipulations, advocating for transparency and accountability in governance.
As the story develops, it may draw further scrutiny from federal authorities and anti-corruption agencies, potentially escalating into a broader investigation into the alleged bribe attempt. NSPRN’s rejection underscores the challenges facing Nigeria’s political landscape, where allegations of corruption and regional rivalries continue to intersect with national leadership.