Governors under the All Progressives Congress (APC), have demanded for the arrest of elements plotting the erection of an interim government in the country.
The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) also called for the prosecution of those involved in the interim government plot.
The governors described the “evil plan” as unfortunate, condemnable and treasonable, Arise TV reported.
The PGF in a statement on Friday by its Chairman and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said it was ironic that after the Presidential, National Assembly, Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, where all parties recorded successes and disappointments in different constituencies, “some self-serving individuals are unfortunately seeking to sabotage the country’s democratic progress.”
It said; “The PGF notes the press statement issued by the Department of Security 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 that the Department of Security Service exposed the plot and we call upon them to arrest and prosecute anyone involved.”
The PGF noted that after a democratic contest, “parties are free to exercise the legal right of going to court.”
It stressed that indeed, 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.
“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.”
The forum also 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 29th, 2023.
It, therefore, called on all citizens to support Nigeria’s democratic development, which “the campaign for interim government is meant to truncate.”
The call is coming after the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) met on Thursday night in Abuja and came up with a resolve to continue defending Nigeria’s democracy.
In a communique signed by Forum Chairman/governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the NGF charged the DSS to stop overheating the polity with its statement with the claim that some certain politicians are planning an interim government against the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It read; “Governors condemned, in the strongest terms, any unconstitutional means of regime change and pledged their 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 communiqué of the meeting stated.
