The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has urged the federal government to strengthen anti-corruption agencies.
This is as the CNG condemned any move by words or actions aimed at scrapping the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, National Coordinator of CNG, in a statement on Thursday, said EFCC had been a beacon of hope in the fight against corruption.
The statement read in part: “The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has been watching and observing with a very keen interest how the enemies of Nigerians are campaigning rigorously on social media to recruit young Nigerians into a planned protest against EFCC, masquerading as human rights activists.
“We strongly condemn and reject in totality any move by words or actions aimed at scrapping the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“We will not stand idly by while notorious “Yahoo boys” and dubious Cryptocurrency merchants are disguising themselves as activists working very hard to undermine a vital anti-corruption agency like the EFCC and disturb national peace and stability.
“The CNG is fully aware that those involved in financial crimes, fraudulent activities and corruption cases, are the masterminds behind the planned protest. Their intention is to discredit and dismantle the EFCC, which has been a thorn in their flesh. The planned protest is nothing but a testimony that corruption is fighting back, which all well meaning Nigerians should stand and fight with all their might.
“The EFCC has been a beacon of hope in the fight against corruption, at this time when corruption has become the order of the day, and its achievements are glaring.
“We call on the Federal Government to strengthen the activities of the commission to enable it prosecute high-profile cases, billions of naira/dollars in looted funds, and bring corrupt officials to book.
“Nigeria needs a robust anti-graft body now more than ever, given the escalating financial crimes, official corruption, and economic sabotage. We can not contemplate a Nigeria without EFCC, considering the intense battle against corruption we’re currently facing.”