The Ambassadors for Peace and Progress (APP) has appealed to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, to forgive the five individuals who publicly confessed to running a N500 million smear campaign against him while he was governor of Zamfara State.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the National Coordinator of the group, Rev. Matthew Adejoh, urged the minister not to allow the painful betrayal to distract him from the critical national assignment entrusted to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We followed with deep emotion the courageous confession made by Comrade Aryan Abdul Kareem and his colleagues. Their admission has exposed the depth of political desperation in Zamfara State, but it has also opened a rare door for healing and reconciliation,” Rev. Adejoh said.

Describing Dr. Matawalle as “a peaceful, kind and large-hearted leader who is a friend to everyone,” the cleric appealed to him to extend the same hand of fellowship he has always shown to people of all faiths.

“Dr. Bello Matawalle is known across the North as a man who builds bridges, not walls,” he said. Quoting Colossians 3:13, he added: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

“These young men have fallen on their knees in public and begged for mercy. As believers and as patriots, we plead with His Excellency to forgive them and everyone who was paid to destroy his name.

The bandits ravaging our region do not read sponsored articles — they only respect superior resolve and unity of purpose.”

The Ambassadors praised President Tinubu for appointing Matawalle, saying the elevation was divine recompense for years of wicked blackmail.

“Your enemies spent over half a billion naira to pull you down, yet Allah raised you to the very centre of Nigeria’s war against terror. Let this confession be the final burial of that evil plot,” Rev. Adejoh declared.

While calling on the EFCC, ICPC and security agencies to immediately investigate the allegation that Zamfara State funds were used to sponsor media attacks, the group insisted that Dr. Matawalle himself should choose the path of forgiveness.

“Let justice run its full course, but let our dear Minister show the maturity, kindness and large-heartedness that made President Tinubu bring him to Abuja. Forgive them, Your Excellency. Focus all your energy on helping Mr. President end insecurity forever. That is the greatest victory.”

A policy advocacy group, the Centre for Energy Accountability and Reform (CEAR), has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited for declaring a Profit After Tax of N5.4 trillion for the 2024 financial year.

The Centre described the performance as “an unmistakable affirmation that Nigeria’s oil industry is finally responding to disciplined management and modern commercial reforms”.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja and signed by CEAR’s Executive Director, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed, the centre said the latest results released by GCEO Bayo Ojulari represent the strongest demonstration yet that the company’s drive toward operational efficiency, transparency and investment expansion is yielding measurable outcomes.

NNPC recently announced the 2024 Profit After Tax during a briefing in Abuja, confirming a 64 percent year-on-year jump from the N3.297 trillion recorded in 2023. Revenue also rose sharply to N45.1 trillion, reflecting an 88 percent surge, supported by higher production volumes and strengthened downstream reforms.

CEAR said the results validate the company’s transformation since it became a limited liability company, crediting Ojulari’s leadership for stabilising operations, tightening cost structures and restoring investor confidence at a time when global capital is increasingly sensitive to governance standards.

“This profit performance is not accidental. It reflects a deliberate, disciplined shift in how NNPC Limited is run—one that prioritises efficiency, transparency and commercial viability. Under Bayo Ojulari’s watch, the company has shown that a national oil company can be profitable, globally competitive and strategically aligned with national development goals,” the statement reads.

The Centre said the ongoing reforms across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors are beginning to correct years of inefficiency, vandalism, under-investment and regulatory conflict.

Ahmed noted that the financial results align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly the push for fiscal sustainability and improved sectoral governance.

While acknowledging the decline in foreign exchange earnings reported in the 2024 statement, the Centre said the shortfall underscores the need for sustained reforms to boost production, expand gas output and deepen value-addition rather than crude export dependency.

“The path to long-term stability must be investment-led and production-driven. NNPC Limited’s plan to raise crude output to two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030 is the type of ambition the sector requires. Likewise, the move to scale gas production to 12 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030 shows strategic foresight,” the statement added.

CEAR also praised the company’s plan to mobilise $60 billion in new investments across the value chain, saying such an expansion will be critical for job creation, revenue growth and anchoring Nigeria’s energy transition.

“With this performance, NNPC Limited has sent a clear message that Nigeria’s energy sector can work, and work profitably, when guided by clear vision and competent management,” Ahmed said.

The Centre urged regulators, industry players and political actors to avoid distractions and continue supporting the reforms that are restoring credibility to Nigeria’s petroleum value chain.

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.”