Nigeria: Governor, IPAC condemn interim government advocates, task security agencies to arrest culprits

*Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State expresses confidence that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President-elect, will meet the expectations of Nigerians, and hit the ground running immediately after his inauguration May 29, 2023, stating any support for an interim government is against democratic principles

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Following the Department of State Services (DSS) recent confirmation of some disgruntled politicians’ underground moves to disrupt the current democratic governance towards the installation of an Interim Government in Nigeria, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State says those advocating such after the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari May 29, 2023, are daydreaming.

Lalong stated this after a meeting with President Buhari Thursday, March 30, 2023, in the State House, Abuja, FCT.

ConsumerConnect reports the governor in a chat with State House correspondents, declared, that the support of interim government would be working against the principle of democracy, which the President has vowed to uphold.

Lalong expressed confidence that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President-elect, would meet the expectations of Nigerians, and hit the ground running immediately after his inauguration May 29.

While referring to Tinubu’s service as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, the Plateau State Governor said the President-Elect would surpass expectations as the ruling party works towards realising its campaign promises.

It is recalled the country’s Department of State Services Wednesday, March 29, had affirmed a plot by “misguided” political actors to set aside the Nigerian Constitution and install an interim government in Nigeria.

The State Services Spokesman also said the plot being pursued by these “entrenched interests” is not only an aberration but a “mischievous way” to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule.

The DSS also warned that such would plunge the country into an avoidable crisis and needless socio-economic dislocations.

IPAC urges DSS to name, arrest people behind plot for interim government

In a related development, Yabagi Sani, Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has urged the Department of State Service to name and arrest those it stated are behind plans to install an interim government in the West African country.

Sani said this Wednesday, March 29 while featuring on a Channels TV programme.

Sani declared that it was not enough for the DSS to announce a plot for interim government, hut charged the secret Police agency to go further and name the “plotters” and take action against them.

The Chairman of IPAC also noted: “To say the least, it is an embarrassment because I believe that the DSS, the agency that is in charge of gathering intelligence and then passing intelligence to other agencies, are supposed to take action. “And I don’t think it serves the purpose of this country for the DSS to come and make this pronouncement in the manner they are making it.”

He stated: “What would have made sense to us is that so person is involved, so person has been arrested, or is under interrogation or whatever action has been taken. “Okay, what do we do as politicians or citizens of this country? We can’t do nothing.”

Sani said that law enforcement agencies should not fail to demonstrate that nobody is above the law to serve as deterrent to others who might have other plans to scuttle democracy in the country.

According to him, democracy is too precious and must be protected by the security agencies.

“Look at what happened in the United States when (Donald) Trump wanted to interrupt the inauguration of (Joe) Biden, something happened, they took action.

“So, I believe as much as we commend the effort of the DSS, I think they should go beyond that, because as citizens what can we do?” Sani queried.