• Ask DSS to arrest proponents urgently
• Northern Elders urge party leaders to restraint spokesmen
The 36 state governors spoke with one voice yesterday against the agitation for an interim national government by some yet to be named people.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF); the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) which is the umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria; the Ibo Senior Citizens Affairs Foundation (ISCAF); the immediate past Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) are the latest on the list of eminent groups and individuals who have spoken out against the plot.
The Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed on Wednesday that the plot to truncate the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect was real.
It said it had identified some of the plotters but did not disclose their identities.
The objective, it said, was to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the federal and state levels.
The 36 state governors, at a meeting 24 hours after the DSS confirmation, asked the security agency to urgently apprehend and prosecute the brains behind the plot.
The NGF, in a communiqué signed by its chairman, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, condemned any unconstitutional means of regime change and pledged its commitment to continue to defend Nigeria’s democracy as elected leaders.
It said it was not enough for the authorities to just issue statements.
The DSS, it said, should go the whole hog by “immediately arresting and prosecuting all those involved in the plot as a matter of urgency.”
Its words: “The Forum deliberated extensively on the alleged plot by some unscrupulous elements to install an interim government as contained in the recent statement issued by the Department for State Services (DSS).
“Governors condemned in the strongest terms, any unconstitutional means of regime change and pledged its commitment to continue to defend Nigeria’s democracy as elected leaders.
“In addition, the Forum believes that issuing statements without arrests is akin to heating up the polity and causing unwarranted tension in the country.
“It called on the DSS to do its job by immediately arresting and prosecuting all those involved in the plot as a matter of urgency.”
The forum congratulated its members who were re-elected for a second term in office.
It said while the last elections were not perfect, “we will take advantage of the learning points to strengthen our democracy and electoral processes.”
APC govs seek arrest of ‘unpatriotic elements’ plotting ‘evil’ interim govt
In a similar communiqué, governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the DSS should not waste time to go after those planning to install an interim government.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu, noted that after the Presidential, National Assembly, Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections in which all the major parties recorded varying successes and disappointments in different constituencies, some self-serving individuals were, unfortunately, seeking to sabotage the country’s democratic progress.
He said: “The Progressive Governors Forum note the press statement issued by the Department of State Service on the unfortunate, condemnable and treasonable conduct of some undemocratic elements who are agitating for an interim government. We condemn such agitation.
“It is commendable, however, that the Department of Security Service exposed the plot, and we call upon them to arrest and prosecute anyone involved.”
The forum added that after a democratic contest, parties are free to exercise the legal right of going to court.
The governors noted that it was widely reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) had chosen to go to the Presidential Election Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the presidential election, which was won by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of APC.
They also said in all the 36 states of the country, tribunals have also been established to provide opportunities for those who participated in the various elections but felt dissatisfied to challenge the results.
The governors also urged all Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any undemocratic conduct that is capable of undermining our democracy.
“Our country has done well in promoting democracy both in Nigeria and elsewhere in the African Continent, and, sadly, some unpatriotic elements are nursing the evil plot for the interim government, which will amount to subverting our national democratic progress,” The APC governors said.
The forum commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Transitional Council for issuing a statement restating the federal government’s commitment towards a successful inauguration of a new President on May 29, 2023.
It called on all citizens to remain vigilant and continue to support Nigeria’s democratic development, which the campaign for the interim government was meant to truncate.
It’s undemocratic, unacceptable, says IPAC
The umbrella body of registered political parties in the country, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), also condemned the plot and dismissed interim government as “civilian coup, treason, absolutely undemocratic and unacceptable.”
National Chairman of IPAC, Mr. Sani Yabagi, said in a statement that the group rejected in its entirety any attempt to “scuttle, subvert and truncate the nation’s emerging democracy by reactionary and retrogressive forces.”
He added: “It is an attempt to overheat the polity, cause confusion, political upheavals, impasse and quagmire as was the case in the infamous annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that necessitated the hasty set up of an interim government by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, which was headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan in August 1993.
“The court declared it illegal and the interim national government was overthrown by Gen. Sani Abacha in November same year,” he said.
Yabagi challenged the intelligence service to name the plotters, arrest and prosecute them in accordance with the law of the land, to serve as a deterrent to others who would resort to self-help to achieve their selfish political ambitions.
He reiterated the council’s call on all aggrieved political parties, candidates and supporters to eschew violence in all its ramifications and seek redress in court for perceived infractions and irregularities in the conduct of the 2023 general election.
“Council further urged the judiciary to dispense justice without fear or favour as the temple of justice and last hope of all aggrieved persons.
“All eyes are on the Judiciary to justify the confidence the people reposed in it by upholding the rule of law.
“That is the only way to assuage the anger in the land and maintain the sanctity of the ballot box,” Yabagi said.
He said that IPAC would continue to stand against anti-democratic forces in whatever guise while appreciating and commending those adding value to Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
Yabagi expressed the council’s appreciation to Prof. Nnenna Nwannaya-Oti, the INEC’s Returning Officer in the March 18 Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Abia State, for her exemplary conduct and impressive performance during the exercise.
He said the council’s commendation was predicated upon her ability to rise above pressure and deliver on her statutory mandate without fear or favour.
The IPAC Chairman expressed the hope that others could emulate her virtue of integrity, which according to him, is lacking among some public officers put in positions of trust.
Ibo senior citizens too
The Ibo Senior Citizens Affairs Foundation (ISCAF) warned in Owerri that aborting democracy and installing an interim government would set Nigeria many years backwards.
President of the group and General Overseer, Friends of Jesus Global Mission (INC), the Right Reverend Maglorious Enyioha, said an interim government or military takeover would not solve any problem but rather trigger more problems in the country.
He wondered why some people could be calling for a military takeover or plotting to scuttle Nigeria’s democracy.
“I am neither calling for interim nor calling for military government because none will solve the problem facing the nation. Rather, I am calling for peace and justice because I believe a new Nigeria is possible,” he said.
He noted that there were aggrieved parties but advised that those who felt aggrieved should follow a judicial process to settle their grievances.
He said:”Our President, Muhammadu Buhari, should not leave everything for the incoming administration of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He should summon a meeting of senior citizens, the elders, not politicians because the politicians have failed us. And I know that when they come together, God will put words into their mouths that will bring about understanding that would move Nigeria forward.
“We are also calling on our youths not to enter into demonstration or action that will cause breach of peace in our land. But unfortunately, the more we try to caution the youths and make peace, the more they push them to the walls, they molest them, kill them and destroy their properties. That is why we are asking the president, president-elect and world leaders to intervene and restore peace in the country.
“Igbo are peace loving people and that’s why anywhere you find them they are relaxed and helping to build the environment.”
On Nnamdi Kanu, the President of ISCAF appealed to President Buhari, for the sake of peace, to release the IPOB leader being detained in DSS custody and set free other illegally detained persons across the country.
NANS vows to resist interim govt
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) dismissed the agitation as devilish and uncalled for.
Vice President of the association, Akinteye Afeez, said nothing should stop the inauguration of the President-Elect and his team as planned.
Afeez, in a statement, said the students’ body saw the agitation as nothing more than a sham and unworkable
He said: “We consider this report from the DSS as the joke of the millennium. It is laughable in all ramifications that an election was organised by INEC and the result of the presidential election produced a President-Elect and the winner was announced by the same body – INEC that conducted the election, then a group of sycophants would come together to plan to shortchange the fragile peace of the nation for their selfish interests.
“This is totally unacceptable to all and sundry. The entire Nigerian students would go against this with every power within and without. Gone is the era of June 12, 1993 that Nigeria was still in a dark age and most Nigerians didn’t know their rights and privileges as citizens.
“Gone is such era of militarization, affront and impunity, where someone or a group of few people can just come up with plans and actualise them against the will of the people.
“Gone is the era where the Nigerian students and youth would sit and watch some people decide for us to our detriment as citizens and as a nation. We are all wiser now. This will not work.
“As a matter of urgency, I hereby call upon the Nigerian students, the Nigerian youth and the entire citizens of Nigeria to be ready to resist every form of oppression or manipulation that would send Nigeria backwards in the comity of nations and any installation that would tamper with the peace and tranquility that Nigeria has been enjoying after the heat of the just concluded elections.
“I strongly advise that any candidate or any political party who is not satisfied with the outcome of the presidential election should seek redress in the court of law and desist from inciting violence of any form in any way so that Nigeria can move forward.”
Call for interim government invitation to anarch, Olanipekun warns
The immediate past Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in his own reaction yesterday, warned that Nigeria risked extinction if those behind the call for interim national government did not desist from doing so on time.
Olanipekun described as an aberration and an invitation to anarchy, the call for interim government in a democracy where elections have just been held and certificates of return issued to winners.
The senior lawyer spoke at a public function organised in his honour by the Body of Benchers to mark the end of his tenure as the Chairman of the prestigious organisation.
He said: “It is unconstitutional. To me, it comes from the pit of hell. Calling for interim national government? Where did you get it from? How do you compartmentalise it? How do you accommodate it within a constitutional democracy? I as a lawyer, I don’t know the jurisprudence that will accommodate it.
“Let’s face it: whenever there is election anywhere in the world, there is bound to be disagreement. But if for every disagreement you say let us disband the system; that does not make sense. You can’t throw away the baby with the bath water. It is never done.”
Citing cases from developed countries where election outcomes have been disputed, Olanipekun urged those aggrieved to explore the opportunities provided by the Constitution and the statue having gone to court
He recalled the unpleasant experience Nigeria went through under the last interim government headed by the late Chief Ernest Shonekan.
He said: “I am not saying all is well. In every institution created by God for man, there would be minuses. You don’t have 100 per cent anywhere. I am not saying there is no room for improvement. But don’t let us call for anarchy. No one is going to benefit from it; not even those calling for it.
“I want to plead with those calling for interim national government to cease fire. Let them introspect. Let them think of the present and the future. Let them think of what will be the outcome.
“The outcome is going to be calamitous. It is going to be an ill wind and it is not going to do anybody any good. It will blow all of us into the Atlantic,” he said.
On a retrospective assessment of his tenure, Olanipekun said he felt fulfilled for what God had done through him for the Law profession during his as the Chairman of the BOB.
Olanipekun, who noted that the BOB is peopled by the best in the legal profession in the country, thanked members of the body for their unflinching support during his tenure.
He added: “What is life about? We all pray that we end well. I started well a year ago as the Chairman, Body of Benchers, and I have ended well…I am at peace with myself and I pray that God will be at peace with me.”
Eminent Nigerians who were at the event, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, Justice Mary Odili (who stepped in as the new BOB Chairman) and many senior lawyers, spoke glowinglyabout Olanipekun.
Justice Ariwoola said it is impossible to doubt the sterling contributions that Olanipekun has made to the development of the legal profession in the country and beyond.
Commending him for his impact while in office, the CJN noted that “great men, like Olanipekun, naturally have their tentacles spread across the path of unimaginable generations of beneficiaries of his magnanimous disposition.”
He added: “The respected SAN has been bestriding the Nigerian legal landscape, with iconic academic discernment for over four decades now.
“He is one lawyer that has latched on our memory an enviable degree of intellectual eminence and legal finesse that encompass all spheres of philosophy and methodical reasoning.
“He is a very unique and nationalistic Nigerian with a radical posture of justice and the rule of law…he is very straight and consciously principled in disposition.
“Even though he is elitist and dignified in carriage, he still relates exceptionally well with the down trodden, as his entire life is totally devoid of duplicity, undue arrogance and elitism…he is, by all standards, a rare gem and an unblemished specimen.”
Justice Odili testified that Olanipekun discharged his duties without blemish while he headed the BOB, and promised to build on his achievements.
Governor Oyebanji described Olanipekun as a great philanthropist, an inspiration and a pride to Ekiti State.
Northern Elders to party leaders: Restrain spokespersons from rude language
Worried by alleged intemperate tone of statements by some members of the political class, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) yesterday advised party leaders to retrain their spokespersons from heating up the polity with uncouth language and exchanges on social media and traditional media.
NEF also appealed to Nigerians to allow the judiciary to perform its responsibility under a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Director, Publicity and Advocacy of NEF, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said: “At any rate, Nigerians should be reminded that our country must survive these elections and address the conduct of elections that have improved standards of quality as well as strengthen the foundations of our peaceful co-existence.
“Northern Elders Forum has sustained its decision to exercise responsible vigilance over the 2023 elections, and encourage emergence of leaders under credible, free and fair elections and a peaceful transition from the current administration to the next one.
“It has followed the conduct of the elections, some of which are still being planned or conducted.
“The Forum welcomes the decision of contestants who feel the elections had not met legal thresholds of acceptability to seek for adjudication over its credibility and settle other constitutional issues related to it.
“It is also concerned that leaders are not exercising enough responsibility to encourage respect for the judicial process, a key element of the electoral process, forum.”
Plot to install interim government real, says DSS
The DSS in its Wednesday statement said the interim government plotters during ”their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, among others, to sponsor endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency.
“Another is to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels.”
It expressed support for President Muhammadu Buhari in “his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover and will assiduously work in this direction.”
It said it also “supports the Presidential Transition Council and such other related bodies in the States. It will collaborate with them and sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless inaugurations come 29th May, 2023.”
It warned “those organising to thwart democracy in the country to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations.”
