Interim Govt: Coalition of CSOs warn aggrieved politicians against disrupting May 29 handover

…Advise them to explore legal processes, not violence

…Charge Nigerians to be sensitive to desperate, greedy political leaders

…Run an all-inclusive govt for sense of belonging — Groups tell Tinubu

No less than 50 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Wednesday warned of danger in any attempt from the quarters of those they described as “aggrieved politicians and other enemies” of the country, to disrupt the smooth political transition and hand of power on May 29, according to the outcome of the 2023 general elections.

The concerned CSOs, led by Citizens For Development And Education, (CDE), Centre For Peace And Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), and Nigerian Peace Advocates, (NPA), addressing a press conference in Abuja, told those projecting imposition of Interim National Government to rather approach the court to table their grievances, against attempt for an interim government which is alien to the Nigerian constitution.

The groups said their concern was drawn against those promoting incitement through uncomplimentary statement, alleging that the aggrieved elements have also systematically taken cover under the pretext of the conduct of elections to cause chaos and disharmony amongst the Nigerian citizens.

They condemned what they tagged as “all advocacies for the establishment of Interim Government in Nigeria,” imploring Nigerians to be wary of falling into “a trap of any sentiments to serve the interest” of those they described as “desperate and greedy political leaders.”

Speaking through their representatives, Executive Director of CDE, Amb. Ibrahim Waiya; and Executive Director of CEPEJ, Comrade Mulade Sheriff,  the groups called on the incoming government to be led by President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to run an all inclusive government to give every part a sense of belonging.

They appealed to the media to exercise restraint in the interest of peace and national unity on all broadcast that may create confusion and/or aggravate the fragile security situation in the Country to avoid a possible repeat of the Rwanda experience in Nigeria.

“Although it is natural for people to have their own expectations in a particular election, that should not be a reason to take away our sense of maturity, reasoning and judgment to think of what is right or wrong, especially at larger perspectives where the lives of many innocent citizens may be at stake,” they said.

“Our increased concerns centre on the continuous promotion of incitement and an uncomplimentary statement from the quarters of the aggrieved politicians and other enemies of our country who have also systematically taken cover under the pretext of the conduct of elections to cause chaos and disharmony amongst the Nigerian citizens.

“This situation, therefore, calls for concerted efforts to contain the boiling anger of some Nigerians, whose expectations turned out to be negative.

“The negativity that is on trial, needs nothing less than a holistic healing of the wound and reconciliation, to salvage and secure our country from the imminent threat of disunity and disharmony,” the groups said.

“We wish to unequivocally condemn all advocacies for the establishment of Interim Government in Nigeria.

“We condemn all utterances and unguarded statements promoted directly or through proxy by any politician or religious leader along ethnic, regional or religious sentiment capable of inciting violence in Nigeria, especially at this critical period of our democratic transition;

“All media organizations should further exercise restraint in the interest of peace and national unity on all broadcast that may create confusion and or aggravate our fragile security situation, by x-raying all content before airing to avoid the Rwanda experience in Nigeria.

“Nigerians should not fall into a trap of any sentiments to serve the interest of any desperate and greedy political leaders.

“All aggrieved politicians should stick to legal process for redress as provided by our legal system, and should desist from threatening, intimidating and discrediting the same system he or she is seeking to serve.

“International Organisations and Communities should exercise restraint in submitting to the sentiments of some politicians, who are hell-bent on destabilising the country, as Nigeria direly needs the support of its friends at this critical time of transition, to salvage our nascent democracy in the interest of Africa’s stability and the world at large.

“We strongly urge and advise the incoming administration to run an all-inclusive government to give a sense of belonging to every region, ethnic, religious and political affiliations,” they submitted.