Kogi indigenes and concerned Nigerians, rallying under the “Alliance For Emancipation and True Change” banner, staged a peaceful protest in the United Kingdom on May 20, 2024.
The demonstrators called for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention to ensure that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) remains impartial and does not become a tool for political persecution.
The protest, organized by pro-Yahaya Bello supporters, coincided with a separate demonstration allegedly sponsored by the opposition in Kogi State and London.
The group criticized the opposition candidate in the November 2023 gubernatorial election, Murtala Ajaka, currently in London, for allegedly sponsoring a misleading and counterproductive protest.
In a statement delivered during the protest, the alliance called for a review of the EFCC’s operating procedures, expressing concerns about selective investigations, unconstitutional media trials, and the politicization of the commission’s activities.
The alliance urged President Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the EFCC operates without bias.
Dr Shaibu Ojogbane, the alliance’s Publicity Secretary, and Chukwunonso Ezeani, Director of Research & Public Affairs, in the statement, said:
”Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has restated his readiness to answer questions regarding his period of leadership in Kogi state; his only disagreement with the EFCC is in the manner the process is conducted as it is glaring that on this particular case, the commission is serving the interest of some powerful Nigerians beyond the eye meets.
”With this in mind, we state without any fear of contradiction that the commission must be called to order without delay.
”We trust that Mr President will act swiftly so this situation doesn’t degenerate into a massive calling out of your government on matters related to selective justice, abuse of human rights and other issues associated therein.”