Politics

Apprehend, prosecute brains behind Interim Govt plot; NGF, IPAC urge DSS

Published

1 year ago

April 1, 2023

Chairman NGF, Governor Aminu Tambuwal

Apprehend, prosecute brains behind Interim Govt plot; NGF, IPAC urge DSS

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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

Apprehend, prosecute brains behind Interim Govt plot; NGF, IPAC urge DSS

The Nation

Politics

Senate in rowdy session as lawmakers quarrel over sitting arrangement

Published

2 days ago

April 30, 2024

Trends Admin

Senate in rowdy session as lawmakers quarrel over sitting arrangement

The Senate broke into a rowdy session on Tuesday after three senators engaged in a heated argument over arrangement of seats.

Danjuma Goje, senator representing Gombe Central, and Sahabi Yau, senator representing Zamfara North, expressed displeasure over the seats assigned to them.

They complained to Opeyemi Bamidele, the majority leader.

The Senate is currently using its refurbished chamber, two years after renovation began on it.

According to the standing rules of the upper legislative chamber, senators should sit in order of rank.

The Easter and Sallah recess was postponed to accommodate the completion of the renovation of both chambers of the national assembly.

However, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio read his welcome address, the heated argument among the three senators began.

It was learnt that Goje and Yau, sitting on the second row on the right side of the aisle, did not like the seats allocated to them by the senate committee on services.

Sunday Karimi, senator representing Kogi west, is chair of the senate services committee.

The four-term senators subsequently insisted that they should have been assigned seats on the front row on the extreme right — opposite the row of the majority leader and the deputy senate president.

After the argument, Kawu Sumaila, senator representing Kano South, called for a “point of order” which was ignored.

Thereafter, Bamidele moved a motion for a closed-session.

Politics

Ganduje drums support for Tinubu, says no vacancy in Aso Rock 2027

Published

2 days ago

April 30, 2024

Trends Admin

Ganduje drums support for Tinubu, says no vacancy in Aso Rock 2027

National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, says members of the opposition are trying to discredit the Bola Tinubu-led administration in their desperation for Aso Rock in 2027.
He however declares that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027.

Ganduje said the administration of President Tinubu had been contending with accumulation of many years of neglect, policy summersaults and other disjointed decisions by previous administrations.

The APC national chairman gave the position while addressing supporters and support groups at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

Ganduje urged the APC supporters and groups to be committed to the party so that it could continue to forge ahead.

He said the leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and its chieftains were afraid, having been defeated in the last general election and already foreseeing another defeat.

Ganduje said the NNPP elements were now engaged in a propaganda campaign against the leadership of APC.

He said, “They are so afraid because we are consolidating. They are so afraid all over the country because we are receiving new entrants into our party. That is creating fears in their minds.

“They are already eyeing 2027, but at that time, there is no vacancy. Only our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will, Insha Allah, continue as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Ganduje claimed the leadership of NNPP and its chieftains in Kano State were sponsoring protests and campaigning for his removal as APC national chairman.

Politics

Another PDP bigwig dumps party

Published

2 days ago

April 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Dr Cosmos Ndukwe

Another PDP bigwig dumps party

Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, one of the key opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidates for 2023, has resigned from the party.

This is stated in a letter written by the former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly to the Chairman of his Item C Ward in Bende Local Government Area, which was copied to the party’s State Chairman, Hon. Asiforo Okere, and the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

The former Chief of Staff to the Governor and Commissioner for Works under ex-Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu claimed “personal reasons, current commitments, and aspirations” in his decision to leave the PDP.

He praised the party for providing him with the opportunity to enter the political spotlight and wished it success in the state.

The letter posted on his Facebook page on Monday morning read, “I hope this letter finds you well. It is with a heavy heart that I compose this correspondence to tender my resignation as a member and stakeholder in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Abia State, effective immediately.

“My decision to resign as a member within the party stems from personal reasons and reflections on my current commitments and aspirations.

“After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that potting out of PDP is the best course of action for me at this time.

“I am immensely grateful for the opportunities that the PDP has afforded me during my tenure as a Councillor, Deputy Chairman Local Government, Chief of Staff to Executive Governor of Abia State, Deputy Speaker Abia 6th House of Assembly and Presidential Aspirant PDP 2023.

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“Serving within the party has been a privilege, and I have valued the relationships I have built with fellow members, as well as the chance to contribute to the party’s objectives and ideals.

” I want to express my appreciation to you, the Ward Executive Committee, and all members of the PDP Abia State for the support and camaraderie extended to me throughout my association with the party.

“While I may be stepping away from my formal role, I remain committed to the principles of democracy and the progress of our great state Abia.

“Please consider this letter as my formal resignation from all duties and responsibilities associated with my position as a member and stakeholder in the PDP Abia State.

“I wish the PDP Abia State continued success in all its endeavors, and I extend my best wishes for the future. Thank you once again for the opportunities and experiences.”

The former Deputy Speaker had in an introductory post to the letter written:

“Good morning friends and well wishers. In life, we all have the past. We all made choices that maybe, weren’t the best ones. None of us is completely a saint,
but we all get a fresh start some day.

“Eccl 3:1-5 summary is on time for everything. To me, this is time to leave PDP family. I am potting out for good, new destination to be announced soon.

“My letter has started its journey to the ward chairman, LG chairman, State Chairman and Ag National chairman”.

Platinumpost reports that, the PDP has been hit by the wind of resignation following the exit of former Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and over 20 key members of the party in Imo State including a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), and zonal officers.

Although the supremacy tussle between former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, is believed to be at the centre of crisis rocking the PDP, funding by Vanguard show that Ndukwe may be on his way to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to assist his kinsman, and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.