Interim Gov’t: Govs tackle DSS over empty security alarm without arrests
Governors have taken a swipe at the Department Of State Services (DSS) for not arresting those it claimed were planning to frustrate the May 29 handover and install an interim government on Nigeria.
The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) challenged the secret police to apprehend the alleged plotters as a matter of emergency.
The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who’s the chairman of the forum made this revelation after a meeting of the forum in Abuja.
Tambuwal said, “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.”
While speaking on the 2023 general election, the governors said: “we will take advantage of the learning points to strengthen our democracy and electoral processes.”
He said the forum has nominated 6 governors to represent the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria to ensure the implementation of the National Development Plan (2021-2025).
North-Central – Governor of Kwara State,
North-East – Governor of Bauchi State,
North-West – Governor of Zamfara State,
South-South – Governor of Edo State,
South-East – Governor of Anambra State and
South-West – Governor of Ekiti State.
While reacting to the cancellation of the proposed privatization of five National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) by National Council on Privatization (NCP), the forum said, “the withdrawal of the matter at the Federal High Court between the 36 States of the Federation Vs the Federal Government of Nigeria which was instituted to halt the process to enable stakeholders address the concerns by States and Local Governments who collectively own a joint stake of 53% in the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
“Members applauded this move by the NCP which appears to have taken into consideration the recommendation of the States to halt the process due to ill-timing amongst other reasons.”
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday March 29 confirmed a plot “by some key players” to put in place an interim government and stop the president-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu from being sworn-in as president.
The said DSS admitted that there are plans to stage violent protests across the federation and cause a declaration of a state of emergency.
The DSS also revealed that some elements are planning to secure frivolous court injunction to frustrate the process of inauguration in the country.
The secret police said: “The Department of State Services (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 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,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
