Arrest interim government agitators, APC govs tell DSS

The Progressive Governors Forum has openly condemned the calls for the return of interim government, stressing that any self-serving Nigerian found culpable in the act of sabotage should be prosecuted.

Their concerns were raised in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the PGF Chairman, Atiku Bagudu.

The condemnation is coming in the wake of the alarm raised by the Department of State Services that it had uncovered a plot by some Nigerians to thwart the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The news also prompted the presidential campaign councils of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party to challenge the DSS to get tough with plotters of the interim national government.

The councils, in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Wednesday in Abuja, said the push for the ING was unconstitutional, adding that the plotters should be arrested.

It was on the same basis that the APC governors led by Bagudu believed that the secret police have done well to bring the issue to the attention of Nigerians.

While urging Nigerians to resist any undemocratic conduct that is capable of throwing the nation into chaos, the PGF chairman called on the DSS to arrest and prosecute those found culpable.

The statement read, “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.

“It is ironic 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, and with our country being appreciated around the globe, some self-serving individuals are unfortunately seeking to sabotage our democratic progress.

“After a democratic contest, parties are free to exercise the legal right of going to court. Indeed, it was widely reported that the PDP and LP had chosen to go to the Presidential Election Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the presidential election, which was won by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of APC. Furthermore, in all the 36 states of the federation, tribunals have also been established to provide opportunity to those who participated in the various elections but otherwise feeling dissatisfied, to challenge the results.

“We urge 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 it is sad that some unpatriotic elements are nursing the evil plot for interim government, which will amount to subverting our national democratic progress.

“It is commendable, however, that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Transitional Council issued a statement restating the Federal Government’s commitment towards a successful inauguration of a new President on May 29th, 2023. Equally we appreciate the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the transition as well as the support of all security agencies.”