Five civil society activists and media operatives on have openly confessed to being part of a N500 million coordinated blackmail campaign against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and tendered an unreserved public apology to him.

The activists, led by Comrade Aryan Abdul Kareem, made the shocking revelation at a press conference in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

Speaking on behalf of Comrade Olumu Lucky, Comrade Olukayode Williams, Comrade John Osumbor Mark, and Engineer Bashir Muhammad, Kareem disclosed that the entire operation was sponsored and supervised by the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal Dare through his Spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.

According to the group, Sulaiman Bala Idris personally convened several secret meetings where they were briefed, handed instructions, and provided with funds.

The campaign, they said, cost “above five hundred million naira” and involved recruiting social media influencers, bloggers, political commentators, conventional media houses, and prominent Zamfara politicians including Senator Kabiru Marafa and Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi.

“We were part of that machinery. We accepted money and roles to circulate damaging and false narratives against Dr. Bello Matawalle even though we knew they were lies. We chose financial inducement over conscience,” Kareem admitted.

The activists said their actions caused “serious emotional pain, reputational damage and distress” to the Minister, his family, and supporters, adding that after deep reflection, they decided to come clean.

“Today, we tender our unreserved apology to His Excellency, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, and to every Nigerian who was misled by the falsehood we helped spread. We beg for his forgiveness and the forgiveness of the public. This apology is born out of genuine remorse,” the statement read.

The group further declared readiness to face any legal or moral consequences, stating that they possess “documentary evidence” of every transaction and meeting, including with Governor Lawal’s Spokesperson.

“We are ready to submit all the evidence and cooperate fully with the EFCC, DSS, police or any competent authority that wishes to investigate this matter,” they affirmed.

While urging other participants in the alleged plot to also confess, the activists said their decision was aimed at cleansing their conscience and helping to enthrone truth and accountability in Nigerian politics.

Nigeria’s security agencies have reportedly uncovered a plan by some opposition politicians to organise protests in Sokoto and other northern states against President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Fresh intelligence reports made available to journalists on Friday show that former Senator Kabiru Marafa is the main arrowhead of the plot.

The group is allegedly working to discredit NSA Nuhu Ribadu and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, by falsely linking them to bandit groups and using a Sokoto-based militia to trigger violent protests.

Sources say the Zamfara State Government, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, is strongly backing the plan and providing funding, determined to paint the federal security team as incompetent and force the removal of both Ribadu and Matawalle.

Security operatives detected the scheme this week, monitored several planning meetings in Gusau and Abuja, blocked funding channels, and quietly disrupted the operation.

No arrests have been made, but all the key figures are now under close surveillance.

The key figures are now being monitored by security agencies to track their key sources of funding.

… withdraw petition of alleged corruption

No fewer than 17 Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, Tuesday, withdrew allegations and begged the Director General, DG, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun.

The CSOs had earlier leveled allegations of financial impropriety, abuse of office, and monetization of Certificates of No Objection against Adedokun, and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa, which was circulated on different conventional and online media platforms.

Also they had mobilized to hit the streets in regards to the false allegations they had earlier raised against the DG and Obasa, the Chief of Staff scheduled for this week Friday 5th December at the BPP headquarters in Abuja and the National Assembly.

The CSOs had their leaders signed the statement include: Comrade Ibrahim Bello – National Coordinator, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI); Hajiya Fatima Sani – Executive Director, Citizens Watch for Good Governance (CWGG); Barr. Chukwudi Eze – Chairman, Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative (ADVI); Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okeke – President, Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste (NCACW); Pastor Emmanuel Adebayo – General Secretary, Voice of Conscience Foundation (VOCF); Mr. Tunde Ogunleye – National Convener, Integrity Monitors Network (IMN); Ms. Chioma Nwosu – Chairperson, Patriots for Transparent Procurement (PTP); Comrade Aisha Yusuf – National Secretary, Civil Liberties and Anti-Corruption Movement (CLACOM).

Others are, Engr. Musa Abdullahi – Director of Programmes, Due Process Advocacy Network (DPAN); Prof. Grace Adeyemi – Board Chair, National Alliance for Ethical Leadership (NAEL); Mr. Segun Olawale – Spokesperson, Citizens Coalition for Open Governance (CCOG); Barr. (Mrs.) Funmi Adewole – Legal Adviser, Justice and Accountability Project (JAP); Alhaji Usman Danladi – Northern Coordinator, Nigerian Integrity and Development Forum (NIDF); Rev. Fr. Joseph Okon – South-South Zonal Chairman, Public Funds Protection Movement (PFPM); Ms. Bolanle Adeoti – Women Leader, Transparency and Responsibility Advocates (TRA); Elder Peter Okonkwo – South-East Coordinator, Good Governance Monitors Assembly (GGMA); and Mallam Bello Yakubu – North-West Chairman, Anti-Corruption Crusaders Network (ACCN).

The statement reads in part, “Today, the leadership of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CCSO) – a platform of over seventeen (17) registered and reputable civil society groups across Nigeria – addresses the nation on a matter of principle, accountability, and national interest.

“In the past week, allegations of financial impropriety, abuse of office, and monetization of Certificates of No Objection were levelled against the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa. Some member organizations of CCSO, acting on reports circulating in the media and online, issued statements and began mobilizing for a national rally scheduled for Friday, 5th December 2025, at the BPP headquarters and the National Assembly.

“Following an emergency joint meeting of all seventeen member organizations, a thorough review of official records, and direct engagement with verifiable evidence provided by the Bureau, we have reached a unanimous resolution that the allegations are entirely false, baseless, and deliberately fabricated by interests opposed to the far-reaching reforms currently underway at the BPP.

“On behalf of the entire Coalition and its over seventeen member organizations, we hereby: “Unreservedly withdraw every statement, press release, social media post, or public comment issued by CCSO or any of its affiliates that implicated Dr. Adebowale Adedokun and Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa in any wrongdoing.

“Tender an unreserved and sincere public apology to: Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement; Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa, Chief of Staff; The management and staff of the BPP;

“The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm caused by our earlier position.”

Meanwhile, they also unanimously passed vote of confidence on the leadership of DG BPP, Dr Adedokun.

“We pass a unanimous and resounding vote of confidence in the leadership of Dr. Adebowale Adedokun. Under his stewardship, the BPP has recorded historic achievements that deserve national commendation, including:

“Blocking financial leakages through rigorous due process enforcement; Establishing the Price Intelligence Unit, Procurement Surveillance and Audit Unit, and Monitoring and Evaluation Unit; Championing the Nigeria First Policy and Affirmative Procurement;

“Deepening participation of women, youth, and Small and Medium Enterprises in federal contracts; Advancing a contractor classification and rating system set for full rollout by January 2026 – a game-changer that will end the era of awarding multibillion-naira projects to incompetent contractors.”

Also they “Officially and irrevocably cancel the planned rally of Friday, 5th December 2025. All state chapters, zonal coordinators, and partner networks are directed to stand down immediately.

“The CCSO remains irrevocably committed to the fight against corruption wherever it exists. But we are equally committed to truth, fairness, and justice. When evidence shows that a public official is not the problem but part of the solution, it is our duty to acknowledge it publicly and without hesitation. That is what we have done today.

“We urge the media, online platforms, and all Nigerians who helped amplify the false narrative to demonstrate the same courage by retracting their reports and issuing corrections.

“We commend Dr. Adebowale Adedokun and the BPP for their transparency and willingness to be held accountable – qualities that true reformers embody.”