Maina Gate: Nigerian Youths Warn Critics of Dambazau

By Dipo Olowookere

National Coordinator, of National Youths Coalition, Prince Adetokumbo Kayode, has condemned those criticising Minister of Interior, Mr Abdulrahman Dambazau, over the controversial reinstatement of former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reform, Mr Abdulrasheed Maina.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the youth coalition described those criticising the Minister as “mischief makers”, who it said are determined to “incriminate and tarnish the unblemished and enviable track records” of Mr Dambazau.

In the statement made available to Business Post, the group said what has become worrisome is the way and manner in which some individuals and organisations have attacked the Minister on the matter.

It said those calling for the removal of the Minister of Interior are being mischievous, stressing that as “responsible youths’ organisation, which believes in the integrity and experience Mr Dambazau has displayed in the service of our fatherland, we will never allow his integrity to be tamed or tarnished by any group or individuals.”

“Hence, we are warning the special interest groups behind the story to leave General Dambazau out of their schemes because he does not deserve the uncharitable treatments and the negative portrayal currently given to him in the mass media.

“General Dambazau has served this country in different capacities without any problem whatsoever.

“May we also inform the traducers of the Minister that General Dambazau is a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not a Permanent Secretary who relates and oversees the affairs of the civil servants.

“As a result, the office of the Minister does not handle issues related to staff recruitments, disengagements, re-engagements, promotions and other roles of the civil service handled by career civil servants.

“Further attempts to drag General Dambazau in to the saga would be strongly resisted by Nigerian youths because justice is distorted when the victim pays for the conducts of the accused.

“Therefore, we are passing our vote of confidence on General Dambazau and we urge President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore the self-serving calls by vested interests for the removal General Dambazau as Minister.”