DSS uncovers political actors plotting interim govt
…Says plot to stop May 29 inauguration real, plotters plan to use protest, court instruments
…Warns plotters would bear consequences of law
By Moses Adeniyi
Although the Federal Government has disclosed plans to freely hand over power to the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on May 29, the Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed that there are actors which it identified as ‘misguided political actors’ working to foist an interim government in the Country.
The DSS described the plan by the unnamed key players as an aberration that would undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.
In a statement by the spokesperson for the Service, Peter Afunanya ,titled ‘DSS confirms plot for interim government by misguided political actors,’ the secret police described the plot as a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and thus, an illegality which it said is totally unacceptable in a democracy.
“The DSS has identified some key players in the plot for an Interim Government in Nigeria. The Service considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.
“The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace-loving Nigerians. This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country,” the statement partly read.
The DSS further disclosed that the said political actors have had several meetings where they were planning to sponsor violent protests in major cities in the Country which would lead to a declaration of a State of Emergency.
Also part of their planned strategy, it said, was to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels.
“The planners, in 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.
“The DSS supports the President and Commander-in-Chief in his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover and will assiduously work in this direction. 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,” the statement added.
He urged those hatching those plans to stop, calling on the judiciary, Civil Society Organisations (CSO, and the media to be mindful of their antics.
The Service warned it would take legal means possible to ensure the stability of democracy in the Country.
It said, “Consequently, the Service strongly warns those organising to thwart democracy in the country to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations.
“Stakeholders, notably judicial authorities, media, and the Civil Society are enjoined to be watchful and cautious to avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation. While its monitoring continues, the DSS will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against these misguided elements to frustrate their obnoxious intentions.”
Recall the Federal Government had assured Nigerians that transition of power to the new administration will be smooth and peaceful.
The government also said the refurbishment of offices for the President and Vice-President elect had been completed.
The Chairman of the Transition Committee, Boss Mustapha, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, had noted that litigation would not stop the handover ceremony from taking place.
He had said, “The Committee has been active and the refurbishment of offices for the President and Vice-president elect has been completed. The facility at the Defence House is ready. Security personnel of the Department of State Service and the Nigeria Police Force have also been deployed to the President and Vice-president elect.”
Mustapha noted that the security sub-committee had been saddled with the responsibility to ensure no one could truncate the handing-over.
He said, “All litigations, whether resolved or not, will not in any way stop the process. President is not spending a day extra in office. The security committee has the responsibility to ensure that nothing happens to truncate the transition process. Nigerians are very law abiding people.
“Whoever has lost an election; there are provided avenues for those people to make whatever legal inquiry they want to make, but the process would continue unabated. We would not create another constitutional crisis; on May 29 the handing over will take place.”
As part of the transition, Mustapha also had said four members of the President-elect’s team would be joining the Federal Government delegation to the spring meeting of the World bank.
He, however, revealed that the President-elect has nominated Wale Edun and the Governor of Kebbi state, Atiku Bagudu to be part of the transition committee.
Speculations over the possibility of an interim government have drawn attention, as the call from some quarters have been sounded since the build-up towards the general elections.
President Buhari has over time declared his resolve to hand over power in May 29 to the democratically elected candidate to take over the affairs of the Country, ruling out any disturbanc that may cause interruption into the democratic system.
