An advocacy group focused on transparency and good governance, Transparency Watch, has dismissed claims linking Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari to the abduction of six Islamic clerics travelling to Talata Mafara in Zamfara State.
The group described as false reports suggesting that the clerics were abducted at Yari’s residence in Talata Mafara, saying the narrative was an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the former Zamfara State governor.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Cliff Richards, the group said the claims emerged amid what it described as attempts to discredit Yari following his appointment as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
Transparency Watch said the clerics were abducted by suspected bandits at Gidan Suleiman Bature while on their way to Talata Mafara for a special prayer session.
According to the group, the clerics were not at or near Yari’s residence when they were abducted.
“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,” Richards said.
He explained that the clerics had been invited to Talata Mafara by Yari to participate in a prayer session for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
The group alleged that the invitation was subsequently used to create a connection between Yari and the abduction, describing the claim as misleading.
“We see this development as sheer mischief aimed at weakening Yari and dampening the enthusiasm of those he is associated with in this national assignment,” the statement added.
Transparency Watch urged those behind the allegations to desist from what it described as malicious propaganda and allow Yari to focus on his responsibilities within the APC campaign structure.
The group also welcomed the Nigerian Army’s reported clarification that the abduction did not take place at Yari’s residence, saying the clarification should help settle the controversy.
“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 said.
