Politics

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

Published

2 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

Politics

Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats

Published

11 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

IIiya Umar Damagum

Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats

Few days after governors on the platform of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) handed down an ultimatum for things to change in the party, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun has moved against the FCT Minister and his loyal lawmakers, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Damagun in a letter addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dated 13th November 2024 and released on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Opposition Lawmakers Coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere urged the electoral umpire to conduct a bye-election to fill up the 27 seats, they vacated to join the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Wike has been accused of being behind the crisis in the PDP over his disagreement with the Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, his successor.

The crisis which started over control of resources divided the party in the state with 27 lawmakers in the state assembly siding Wike and defected to the APC following Wike’s acceptance to serve in the government of the APC.

He has also been accused of working in cahoots with Damagun to damage the PDP by not organising the National Executive Committee which would lead to the acting Chairman’s ouster.

After a series of agitation, the latest being from the PDP Governors’ Forum over the weekend, Damagun has demanded that INEC conduct elections as soon as possible, apparently moving against the FCT minister.

He argued in letter titled, ‘DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CONDUCT OF FRESH ELECTION IN 27 STATE CONSTITUENCIES OF RIVERS STATE WHICH HAVE BECOME VACANT PURSUANT TO SECTION 109(1)(g) OF THE CONSTITUTION’ that it’s “unlawful” for the 27 members to defect.

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The members defected to the APC on December 11, 2023.

Damagun said, going by provisions of the Constitution, the lawmakers are no longer members of the Assembly.

The PDP acting chairman therefore urged the Commission to perform its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting fresh elections to fill the vacancies created in the 27 state constituencies by the unlawful act of the former Assembly members.

Parts of the letter read, “The Leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to draw the attention of the Commission to the gross violation of Section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly following their unlawful defection from our Party, the PDP who sponsored their elections to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Monday, December 11, 2023.

“The Commission may recall that our Party, the PDP nominated all our 32 State House of Assembly candidates in Rivers State for the 2023 General Election on the 7th of July 2022 via your electronic candidate election nomination portal (See attached acknowledgement).

“The Commission may also recall that following the nomination, the Commission conducted election into the Rivers State House of Assembly on the 18th of March, 2023 and our Party won 32 seats in the state Assembly. The elected State House of Assembly members were inaugurated and sworn-in on June, 2023.

“However, on Monday, 11 December, 2023 a period of just six (6) months after inauguration, 27 out of the 32 members publicly announced their defection from our Party to the All Progressive Congress (APC). This defection is a gross violation of Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended).

“The only two grounds of division and merger provided for in the Constitution that permit such defection are completely non-existent in our political Party. It therefore means that the defections of the 27 members are without lawful excuse and these members have vacated their seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly by the operations of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

“In view of the foregoing, we hereby demand that the Commission performs its constitutional duties and begin the process of conducting a Fresh Election to fill the vacancies created in the 27 State Constituencies by the unlawful act of the Assembly members. Find attached the list of the 27 State Assembly Members and their Constituencies.

“While thanking the Commission for its commitment to deepening democracy in our country, please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

Damagun writes INEC to conduct by-election for 27 vacant Rivers assembly seats

Politics

Nigeria would have been better under Peter Obi, too much nepotism under Tinubu – Senator Abaribe

Published

14 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigeria would have been better under Peter Obi, too much nepotism under Tinubu – Senator Abaribe

Nigeria would have been better than what it is currently if Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), had won the 2023 elections, the senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has said.

Abaribe, who spoke on ‘Politics Today,’ a Channels Television programme, on Monday, said Obi would not have been as nepotistic as the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“Number one, he would not be as nepotistic as this government; he won’t; it’s not in him. That is just who we are; we feel for the other people.”

The lawmaker called attention to Tinubu’s appointment of four ministers from Ogun alone, noting that many other states have just one.

“I say it, and I don’t think so. We are seeing it everyday. I just gave you one example. How can Ogun state have four ministers? Why does he favour Ogun state? Oyo state has only one minister,” Abaribe said.

”The nepotism of Buhari, which nobody followed, has now deepened under President Tinubu because Buhari did it, and nobody said much. I was the only person shouting.”

He said that rather than waiting for presidents to be fair to the people of the south-east, it is high time people of the zone went back to revamp it, make it more livable, better, and more cohesive.

“It’s obvious that if we continue to look at whoever becomes president, they will look at us and do us right. Apart from Obasanjo and maybe Jonathan, I do not think that we have seen that same type of fairness,” he said.

Politics

Lagos 2027: Seyi Tinubu campaign team releases his life documentary

Published

1 day ago

November 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Seyi Tinubu

Lagos 2027: Seyi Tinubu campaign team releases his life documentary

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has been tipped for the seat of Lagos governor in the 2027 governorship election.

This was according to a video making the rounds on various social media platforms, which Peoples Gazette saw on Sunday.

The video highlights the president’s son’s biography, focusing on his education, career, and humanitarian activities as a Nigerian. It also documents his involvement in youth development in the country.

This biopic comes on the heels of some groups’ endorsements of Mr Tinubu’s son as a potential successor to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.

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On Tuesday, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders issued an endorsement in Owerri, Imo, suggesting that the younger Tinubu would be welcomed to contest the governorship seat in Osun or Imo.

He was also endorsed by Friends of Seyi, a group emphasising his vision and intellectual wherewithal to govern the country’s commercial nerve.

APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe, however, described the gale of endorsements as a ploy to undermine the president in a Facebook post.

“Who are these faceless people pushing Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor? This is a needless distraction,” said Mr Igbokwe. “To pull PBAT down is their target. Ruling Lagos is not the job of boys.”