Tinubu: Afenifere reacts to plot to install Interim Government

The Yorùbá socio-political and cultural organization, Afenifere has learnt its voice to the issue of Interim Government, saying it would not give recognition to it.

The Yorùbá group said it would not accord any regard to any Interim National Government in Nigeria.

This was revealed in a statement released the spokesperson of the group, Jare Ajayi on Monday April 3.

Afenifere said it’s ready to resist any step that would sabotage the May 29 inauguration of the president elect Senator Bola Tinubu.

He said the Interim Government would not have negative effect on Tinubu alone but all tiers of government and should be resisted.

The spokesman however encouraged the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Police to arrest the suspects and sponsors of an interim government.

He said: “The disruption will affect all other tiers of government as well, governors at the state level, the legislatures at the national and state levels, and perhaps the local government areas.

“There is therefore the need to exercise a lot of caution. The laws of the land created avenues to seek redress when we are aggrieved. We enjoin those who may not be satisfied with the outcome of the concluded elections to seek redress through the established channels and not through any other means.

“It is also important to let members of the public realize that anything short of following due process, particularly in the swearing-in of winners of the just concluded elections, constitutes grave dangers for the country. This must not be accepted or encouraged at all because of its dire consequences.

“The successful conclusion of a general election this year has provided the country another opportunity to re-invent itself. We believe that the government that will be formed at the expiration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration on May 29 this year will open new (positive) vistas for the country. The new government, a product of the process created by the Nigerian Constitution i.e. electoral process, elicits hope of a new lease because of the acrimonious air and near despondence in the land.

“As for those who are pushing for an Interim Government, this should not be allowed to happen first because it is alien to our law books and also because we have had an experience of it in the past. Not only was the experience unpleasant, but it was also retrogressive. It is a path we should not tread again for any reason. Especially since there is no basis for it whatsoever.”

He added: “In view of the setbacks the contraption of Interim Government always brings, it is important to let its advocates know that it is an ill wind that blows no one any good. Those of them who, simply because they were uncomfortable with the result of the February 25, Presidential election, want the baby to be thrown away with the bath water.

“Ordinarily, it could be said that the allegation of steps capable of jeopardizing the handing over to the President-elect on May 29th is unreal. Doing so however would be playing the ostrich going by the confirmation by the DSS, opinions expressed against it by such groups and individuals like Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Mr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, APC Governors’ Forum, etc.

“Since we know that it is fraught with danger, it is very necessary we make it known that it would be unacceptable.

“It is by so doing and by taking the culprits to the court that members of the public would believe that the security agency is not just crying wolf or selling a dummy.”

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.”