2027 polls: It’s vile propaganda to link Yari with abduction of 6 clerics – Group

An advocacy group for transparency and good governance, Transparency Watch, has described as “vile propaganda” attempts to link former Zamfara state governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, with the abduction of six Islamic clerics travelling to Talata Mafara.

The group, in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Cliff Richards, said the clerics were abducted by suspected bandits at Gidan Suleiman Bature while on their way to Talata Mafara for special prayers.

It dismissed reports that the clerics were abducted at Yari’s residence, describing the claim as an attempt to blackmail the senator following his appointment as Director General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.

“We have noted with concern the efforts being made by mischief makers to give Yari a bad name following his appointment as the Director General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council,” the statement said.

“The latest in that negative effort is the false narrative that six Islamic clerics were abducted at Senator Yari’s residence in Talata Mafara, Zamfara state. This is nothing but vile propaganda aimed at blackmailing Yari.”

Transparency Watch said the clerics were invited by Yari to Talata Mafara to conduct special prayers for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

“The truth of the matter is that the clerics were abducted by suspected bandits in a place called Gidan Suleiman Bature on their way to Talata Mafara for special prayers. They were nowhere near Yari’s residence in Talata Mafara,” it said.

The group accused Yari’s detractors of attempting to portray him as failing in his new assignment and urged them to desist from what it described as malicious propaganda.

It added: “Yari has a job to do. We believe that these distractions can only have a little nuisance value. Yari will give a good account of himself at the end of the day.”

The group also commended the Nigerian Army for reportedly clarifying that the abduction did not occur at Yari’s residence, saying the clarification should end the controversy surrounding the incident.