Politics

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

Published

3 years 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

metro

Probe Me Over $16bn Power Spending If You Have Evidence – Atiku Dares FG

Published

7 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Probe Me Over $16bn Power Spending If You Have Evidence – Atiku Dares FG

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown down the gauntlet to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, demanding that it substantiate allegations linking him to alleged wrongdoing in the controversial $16 billion power sector expenditure or cease what he describes as a campaign of political distraction. In a statement released on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku insisted that he should be investigated and prosecuted if the government possesses credible evidence against him, stressing that political accusations cannot replace proof. The former Vice President accused the Tinubu administration and its supporters of reviving decades-old allegations to divert public attention from pressing questions surrounding the management of government revenues following the removal of petrol subsidy.

Atiku noted that the National Assembly had previously investigated the power projects, but he was never invited to respond to any allegations of misconduct. “The National Assembly investigated the power projects. I was never invited to answer any allegation of wrongdoing,” he stated. He acknowledged that he chaired the National Council on Privatisation while serving as Vice President but clarified that he did not oversee the implementation of the power project. “Yes, I chaired the National Council on Privatisation as Vice President. But on the power project, I disagreed with its concept and did not preside over its implementation. The responsible minister did. The same applies to the Aluminium Smelter matter,” Atiku explained.

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election declared that he had repeatedly made himself available for investigation since leaving office in 2007. “I have repeatedly asked to be investigated. I left office in 2007 and have spent much of the period since then opposing governments in power. If there is evidence that I stole public money, why has no government produced it before a court?” he queried. Atiku challenged the authorities to reopen the matter if they believed there was a genuine case against him. “It is still not too late. Investigate me. Invite me. Produce the evidence. Prosecute me if you have a case. But propaganda cannot substitute for evidence,” he said.

The former Vice President linked the renewed allegations to his persistent criticism of the Federal Government’s handling of the economic consequences of petrol subsidy removal. He argued that Nigerians had been promised that eliminating the subsidy would free funds for development, but citizens had instead faced higher costs of transportation, food, and other essentials. “Today, petrol is more expensive, transportation is more expensive, food is more expensive and the purchasing power of the Nigerian worker has been devastated,” he said. Atiku further questioned how additional government revenues were being deployed, alleging that tax incentives, waivers, credits, and concessions continued to benefit powerful economic interests. “So our question remains brutally simple: where is the people’s money?” he asked. He accused the government of hypocrisy for withdrawing economic relief from ordinary Nigerians while maintaining interventions that benefited major corporate interests. “You cannot take relief away from the poor, celebrate the resulting revenue and then tell the same impoverished citizens that government intervention on their behalf is economically irresponsible while interventions benefiting powerful interests are called incentives. That hypocrisy is precisely what we are challenging,” Atiku stated.

Atiku dismissed what he described as sponsored social media attacks, insisting they would not prevent him from demanding transparency over public finances. “The people who removed subsidy from the poor cannot frighten us into silence by resurrecting allegations that governments with all the investigative machinery of the Nigerian state have had nearly two decades to establish,” he declared. He challenged the government to either substantiate the allegations or address questions over the use of funds generated after subsidy removal. “If you have evidence against Atiku, bring it. If you have a case, prosecute it. But if you have neither, stop manufacturing distractions and answer Nigerians: You removed the subsidy. You collected the savings. Where is the money?” he demanded.

Probe Me Over $16bn Power Spending If You Have Evidence – Atiku Dares FG

Politics

Ogun 2027: Radio Interview that Triggered APC Move for Hunye’s Arrest, Prosecution

Published

12 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Ogun 2027: Radio Interview that Triggered APC Move for Hunye’s Arrest, Prosecution

What Happened in Osun Will Be a Child’s Play in Ogun — Hunye

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has distanced itself from Abayomi Hunye and called for his arrest and prosecution for allegedly impersonating a governorship candidate of the party, following comments he made during a radio interview in which he vowed to challenge the emergence of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s 2027 governorship candidate.

Hunye, who described himself as an APC governorship aspirant, made the comments on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.

During the programme, Hunye warned that the political crisis surrounding the APC’s 2027 governorship ticket could become far more intense than the recent political upheaval witnessed in Osun State.

“They saw what happened in Osun. What happened in Osun is going to be a child’s play to what is going to happen in Ogun State in 2027,” he said.

The comments appeared to have heightened the controversy surrounding the APC governorship ticket and prompted the party to disown Hunye, insisting that he had no authority to present himself as its governorship candidate.

The party maintains that Adeola is its duly nominated candidate for the 2027 Ogun governorship election.

Hunye, however, said he remained committed to his legal challenge against the outcome of the party’s governorship primary, arguing that the dispute was fundamentally about the integrity of the process and the right of party members to participate in a free and fair contest.

According to him, political grievances cannot simply be suppressed by imposing a preferred candidate on party members.

“What happened in Osun was the same thing. You cannot deprive people of their rights and want them to now keep quiet. They will not keep quiet,” he said.

Hunye also accused Governor Dapo Abiodun and the APC leadership of imposing Adeola on other aspirants, challenging the party to subject the senator to a transparent primary if he was genuinely popular among party members.

“He imposed him on us. And you want to force us to obey it. If you agree that he is popular, let the primaries be free and fair. And if he wins the primary, everybody will agree,” Hunye said.

He maintained that his court action was not driven solely by personal ambition, but by what he described as the need to ensure that the APC’s candidate emerged through a credible and acceptable process.

Hunye further claimed that opposition to Adeola’s emergence extended beyond his camp, alleging that some members of Governor Abiodun’s cabinet were also unhappy with the development.

“Quite a number of people in Dapo Abiodun’s cabinet are with us. They are not happy. People are not happy,” he claimed.

The radio interview has since become central to the latest development in the dispute, with the APC using Hunye’s public statements and his self-description as an aspirant to reinforce its position that he has no mandate to speak or act as the party’s governorship candidate.

The controversy comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 Ogun governorship election, with the APC leadership seeking to consolidate support around Adeola while the internal dispute over the primary process continues to generate tension.

Hunye’s warning that the situation in Ogun could surpass the political crisis witnessed in Osun has also added a new dimension to the dispute, raising concerns about the possibility of further confrontation within the ruling party if the grievances of aggrieved aspirants and their supporters remain unresolved.

Politics

APC Petitions Police, DSS Over Ogun 2027 Governorship Claim, Seeks Hunye’s Arrest

Published

19 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Trends Admin

APC Petitions Police, DSS Over Ogun 2027 Governorship Claim, Seeks Hunye’s Arrest

I’m ready to honour police invitation – Hunye

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding the arrest, investigation and prosecution of Mr. Abayomi Hunye over his alleged impersonation as the party’s governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 general elections.

The ruling party also urged the security agencies to stop Hunye from further parading himself as its candidate, warning that his continued claim could mislead the public, undermine electoral integrity and potentially threaten public peace in the state.

The development followed Hunye’s recent declaration at an event in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, where he reportedly presented himself as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election and unveiled Chief Abayomi Odunowo as his purported running mate.

The APC had on Monday publicly disowned Hunye, describing his claim as mischievous and insisting that he was not its governorship candidate.

In separate petitions dated August 24 and signed by the party’s Director of Administration, Ayoola Olajolo, the APC asked the police and DSS to urgently intervene in the matter.

In the petition to the Inspector-General of Police, the party described Hunye’s action as a “grave threat to public peace and electoral integrity,” alleging that he had been using both traditional and social media platforms to parade himself as the party’s candidate.

The APC stated: “The Subject has notoriously and unlawfully taken to the public domain, including print and social media, parading himself as the governorship candidate of our party for the forthcoming January 2027 election.

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“I wish to state unequivocally that this claim is false, fraudulent, and a deliberate act of impersonation designed to mislead the public and destabilise the peace of Ogun State.”

The party further alleged that Hunye had been suspended from the APC on April 7, 2026, following a petition from his Tube Ward in Ipokia Local Government Area.

According to the APC, the suspension was subsequently ratified by the Ogun State Working Committee and communicated to the party’s national headquarters.

The party also maintained that it had conducted its governorship primary election in the state and that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola and Mrs Balogun Abiodun remained its recognised governorship candidate and running mate respectively.

Consequently, the APC asked the police to invite Hunye for questioning and investigate what it described as possible offences arising from his conduct.

The party specifically requested that the security agency investigate and prosecute him, where appropriate, for alleged impersonation, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and alleged violation of the Electoral Act, 2026.

It also urged the police to restrain Hunye from further presenting himself as the APC candidate in order to prevent what it described as a possible breakdown of law and order in Ogun State.

The party pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation and provide additional statements or evidence that may be required.

Meanwhile, reports that Hunye had gone into hiding after security operatives allegedly visited his residence to deliver an invitation for questioning have been denied by the politician.

Hunye, while reacting to the development, dismissed the claim that he was on the run, insisting that he remained available and was prepared to honour invitations from the security agencies.

He questioned the basis for reports that he had evaded the operatives by jumping over his fence.

“Somebody was saying they came to my house and I jumped the fence. Why won’t I honour it? How can I be on the run?” Hunye asked.

He added that he would honour any invitation issued by the security agencies, noting that an invitation scheduled for September could not reasonably be interpreted as an indication that he was fleeing.

“If somebody invited me for September, I’ll be running now? The question is, have they visited my house?” he said.

Hunye further insisted, “I heard that they’re saying they came to my house and I jumped the fence. How can I be on the run? If I’m invited for September, I’ll definitely honour it.”

The dispute has added a fresh layer to the unfolding political contest ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State, with the APC now seeking the intervention of security agencies to settle what it considers a case of impersonation and potential threat to electoral order.