As Nigerians prepare to commemorate Democracy Day on June 12, the Nigeria Renaissance Group (NRG) has called on the Federal Government to intensify security efforts across the country in response to reports of a planned protest allegedly aimed at discrediting several top government officials.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NRG’s spokesperson, Mohammed Lawal, expressed deep concern over what he described as a politically charged and potentially destabilizing demonstration.
He noted that those reportedly targeted include the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief George Akume; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; and Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede.
Although the sponsors of the protest were not disclosed, Lawal hinted at a larger political agenda, warning that the protests may be orchestrated rather than organic.
“Our intelligence points to a meticulously planned, rather than organically driven, demonstration designed to unjustly tarnish the reputations of several high-profile government officials,” he said.
According to him, the group’s findings suggest that the protest is less about genuine civic grievances and more about launching a smear campaign against key figures in the current administration.
“Those specifically identified as targets of this alleged smear campaign include the esteemed Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi; the diligent Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief George Akume; the distinguished Senate President, Obot Godswill Akpabio; and the resolute Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede,” he stated.
The NRG, in its official release, voiced strong reservations about the intent of the planned demonstrations. Lawal said the protests appear to be a deliberate ploy to embarrass the government and derail ongoing developmental efforts.
“In a comprehensive statement released this afternoon, the Renaissance Group unequivocally expressed its profound disquiet, asserting that the impending protests are far from a genuine expression of public discontent.
Instead, they are believed to be a calculated and malicious endeavor to create undue embarrassment for the Nigerian government and to distract from its ongoing efforts towards national development,” he added.
Lawal appealed to Nigerian youths, who often play a central role in such movements, to exercise discernment and avoid being used by elements he described as having turned their backs on the nation’s foundational values.
He urged the youth to uphold peace and decorum during any demonstration that may occur, highlighting the importance of staying within the bounds of the law.
“We unequivocally support peaceful protests that are genuinely rooted in good intentions and a desire for constructive change. However, we categorically cannot and will not condone any actions aimed at undermining key figures in our government through egregious acts of blackmail, deception, and calculated misrepresentation,” Lawal cautioned.
Reaffirming the group’s stance on democratic principles, Lawal emphasized that while the right to protest is a cornerstone of democracy, it should be carried out with integrity and a deep sense of national interest.
He warned against what he described as the “insidious weaponization of protests” for misleading the public and damaging the reputations of government officials who are committed to national service.
“As the nation braces for the potential escalation of tensions ahead of the planned protests, the Nigeria Renaissance Group’s timely and poignant statement serves as a potent reminder of the indispensable need for national unity and the critical importance of constructive dialogue in addressing any grievances within the country,” Lawal said.
