By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, ABUJA

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Darlington Nwauju, has condemned two recent protests against Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, saying they were a calculated ploy to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“The timing of the protests in the face of two court cases currently lying before two justices of the Federal High Court, Abuja, demanding a judicial probe into the minister’s WAEC and NYSC records, simply proves that those who went to court do not even have confidence in the very process they initiated,” Nwauju declared in a statement he issued on Monday.

“If they have sufficient evidence, which they have the opportunity to provide before the courts, why resort to street protests? Why try to play on the emotions and intelligence of Nigerians?”

Nwauju described the street actions as “an attempt to blur the sense of judgement of the unsuspecting public, bully the judges and continue the political blackmail against Nigeria’s best-performing minister.”

He highlighted the minister’s transformative record since assuming office on August 21, 2023.

Under Tunji-Ojo’s innovative leadership, the Ministry of Interior has overhauled paramilitary agencies—including Immigration, Correctional Service, Civil Defence, and Fire Service—earning international respect and exceeding federal revenue projections for two fiscal years.

Key achievements include a revolutionised passport application process, remodelling of national fire stations, expanded roles for Civil Defence in internal security, and promotions for over 75,202 staff across agencies in the past two years.

“No patriotic Nigerian would clamour for the removal of such a high-performing official of government, if not with an ulterior motive of reversing the huge gains government has achieved in less than three years through that Ministry and derailing the renewed hope agenda of Mr President, thereby making his reelection difficult come 2027,” Nwauju asserted.

The APC leader dismissed the protests as sponsored distractions.

“As a Nigerian in my late forties, I am aware of the chequered history of the Interior Ministry; therefore, it is madness for any individual or group to convince me against appreciating the mileage covered in under three years, especially because I am not suffering any form of amnesia.

“All the records of that ministry under Dr Tunji-Ojo are open for public scrutiny; both oversight committees at the National Assembly have kept applauding the excellent achievements.”

Nwauju urged Nigerians to see through the sabotage and support proven leadership.