Civil Society Groups Embroiled in Controversy Over #EndBadGovernance Protest Funds

A dramatic scene unfolded on Wednesday evening at a hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja, as members of the Civil Society Network on Economic and Social Advancement clashed over the sharing formula of alleged funds received for the recent #EndBadGovernance protest.

Eyewitnesses reported that the group’s leaders and members were engaged in a heated argument, with some individuals physically confronting each other. Despite attempts to reach out to the group’s leaders, none were willing to comment on the cause of the disagreement.

This incident raises questions about the integrity and motivations of some civil society groups, particularly those advocating for transparency and accountability in government.

In a related development, the Arewa Youth Network for Transparency has called for a thorough investigation into the leadership of the Civil Society Network on Economic and Social Advancement. In a statement, the group’s convener, Comrade Musa Abdulkadir, expressed concerns about the anonymity of the leader, Abubakar Yari, and the group’s lack of transparency.

The statement read: “The faceless civil society groups lack verifiable facts, hence they resort to hiding their identities. We urge the Nigerian security architecture to investigate these groups.”

This controversy comes on the heels of the group’s recent threats to picket the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) headquarters over fuel queues and their call for the removal of the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer.

As the situation unfolds, Nigerians are left wondering about the true intentions of some civil society groups and the need for greater transparency and accountability within their ranks.