How Civil Society Organizations Finally Collapsed In Nigeria 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that there were posts on social media on how some members of the Coalition, Civil Society Network on Economic and Social Advancement, were sighted fighting over the sharing formula of the alleged money for the protest.

The group members, who were seen at a hotel in Wuse 2, were at each other’s necks over how to distribute the money among themselves.

What has been in the minds of many Nigerians is the purpose of the money they were sharing and who gave them the money. The group may not provide the answers but what is certain is that CSOs had been compromised unlike in the days of late Chief Gani Fawemihin,  Beko Ransome Kuti, Femi Falana, Chima Ubani among others.

This may have confirmed the thinking among Nigerians that CSOs are comprised of people with dubious characters hiding under the CSOs to perpetrate fraud.

The President of AMPEF,  Comrade Saviour Iche, stated that CSOs have grossly been compromised and he claimed that it was the Government that infiltrated the CSOs and made ineffective the struggle for the emancipation of the masses.

He mentioned the massive corruption going on while the CSOs would keep silent because they have been compromised. It is either the Government has the details of the bribe money they collected or their activities and amorous affairs with men and women.

Prince Ichie regretted that the traditional rulers, who are supposed to be the champions of morality, have turned their palaces into places where elections are rigged due to corruption.

However,  Iche stated that few of them who have not stained their hands will continue with the struggle despite the fact that they are few in number, who are speaking out against the ills in the society.

Another CSO leader,  Comrade Neye Solomon of the CDHR, agreed that CSOs had been comprised in Nigeria due to corruption among some of their members. He recalled what happened at Ojota, Lagos, during the recent protest when some of the CSOs were taking photographs with Government officials denouncing the protest because they may have received money and turned against the masses. He however, stated that they will continue with the struggle despite the challenges because they cannot abandon the suffering masses at this period.

The leader of KnowYour Rights, Comrade Olusegun Adeoko, stated that many of the CSOs are shamelessly fraternizing with the Government because of money they receive and cause great damage to the struggle.  He consoled himself with the words of late Gani Fawemihin, who said: “Stand for what is right even though you are standing alone”. He said that the struggle must continue despite the shameless attitude of CSO members.

Comrade Daniel Oguine of the CDHR /JAF stated that what is happening to the CSOs in Nigeria is pathetic and should be condemned by all because they are supposed to be the watchdogs of the society putting pressure on the Government to do the right things.

He regretted the some of the known CSO leaders have compromised and they walked into Government’s trap by collecting money and no longer have moral rights to fight for the masses.

Evangelist Oguine stated that even though it is remaining just few genuine members, the struggle must continue and they will continue to identify with the suffering masses in the society.

Some of the CSO leaders who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS agreed that indeed they have been compromised and attributed to it by the Government delibrate plan to destroy CSO in Nigeria which is not in the best intrest of the masses as watchdog of the society.