Leading groups from the three geo-political zones in the country yesterday joined voices in condemnation of an interim government, which crept into national discourse after the Department of State Services (DSS) disclosed that plots to truncate the current democratic dispensation were real.
Recall that the DSS had, last Wednesday, said it had confirmed a plot by some key players to install an interim government and stop President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, from being inaugurated as president.
Embattled National Publicity Secretary of Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, yesterday, issued a statement purportedly on behalf of the group, saying the Afenifere has warned against any step that can jeopardise the handing over of the rein of power to elected officers, come May 29.
Ajayi, whom Afenifere had announced his suspension in a communiqué on March 28 for issuing unauthorised statements, in another statement, yesterday, said the group was prompted by reports of steps being taken that may be prejudicial to the swearing-in of winners of the just concluded general elections on May 29.
According to Ajayi, such steps included the attempts to rubbish the outcome of the elections, especially the presidential election, that held on February 25, resuscitation of the calls for the formation of an interim government and protests or rallies being conducted especially in Abuja and America against the result of the said election.
However, when contacted for clarification, leader of the group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, said Ajayi has no authority to issue any statement on behalf of or for Afenifere.
In the same vein, a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, said that Ndigbo will not be part of any conspiracy for an interim government; but that rather, plans are in top gear for them to attend the inauguration of Tinubu on May 29.
In an issued statement in Abakaliki, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, challenged the DSS to apprehend those who are exponents of the interim government scheme and ensure that “those unpatriotic elements of destruction did not derail our democracy”, adding that their evil intent to forestall the smooth transition of power have hit the rock.
He maintained that Ndigbo not only condemn the call for the establishment of an interim government, but insists that the President-elect be sworn-in by May 29, noting that Ndigbo has been endangered species in Nigeria.
Also, a Northern group, Arewa Youth Assembly, on Monday, strongly opposed calls for interim government in Nigeria. The group believes that such calls were not in the best interest of the country and could lead to further instability and political uncertainty. The group, in an issued statement by its Speaker, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, argued that there was no need for such calls because the recently-concluded elections were fair and credible.
