CSOs to Aggrieved Politicians: Nothing ‘ll Stop Tinubu’s Inauguration
Ahead of the May 29 inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as President, some civil society organisations (CSOs) have warned individuals and groups plotting against the ceremony to allow the due process of law to take its course.
Operating under the auspices of the Coalition for Peace in Nigeria (COPIN), as well as The Iconoclast Platform, the CSOs urged aggrieved parties to submit themselves to the dictates of the rule of law/due process, which are the foundation of constitutional democracy
According to the Groups, the President-elect has always demonstrated unparalleled patriotism and commitment to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria, hence deserves the support of all and sundry, to redirect Nigeria on the path of renaissance.
Recall that security agencies had raised the alarm over plans by some aggrieved politicians and their supporters, who lost out at the last general elections, to frustrate a successful transfer of power to a new administration.
Specifically, the Department of State Services (DSS) sometime in March, had warned against plots to foist an interim government in the country.
The secret service had said: “The Department of State Services (DSS) has identified some key players in the plot for an Interim Government in Nigeria.
“The Service considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.
“The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace loving Nigerians. This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country”.
In a similar vein, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, had alleged plans by “major political actors” in the country, to disrupt the planned inauguration Tinubu on May 29.
Consequent upon the security alerts, COPIN, and The Iconoclast have called on Nigerians to shun acts capable of truncating a successful transmission of power from President Muhammadu Buhari to Senator Tinubu.
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In separate statements signed, Saturday, by Pharm. Emeka Akwuobi, and Hajiya Fatih Yakub – National Coordinator, and National Secretary of COPIN, as well as Dr. Mayago Mayago, National Secretary of Iconoclast – the Groups expressed confidence in the capacity of Tinubu to “unify”, and “birth a new Nigeria”.
“As a patriotic, non-aligned organisation, we make bold to say that the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, possesses all the credentials needed to steer the nation along the path of economic growth and prosperity.
“We believe that it was this conviction that gave him the overwhelming victory at the February 25 Presidential election, and the subsequent validation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Our investigations have since revealed that the President-elect is a detribalised Nigerian, who neither discriminates, nor deals with people on whatever fault lines – religion, ethnicity, party affiliation etc.
“We, therefore, warn disgruntled elements plotting against a successful May 29 handover to desist forthwith, in order not to incur the wrath of millions of patriotic Nigerians, especially the youth, who are waiting anxiously to behold their new President”, COPIN said.
On its part, The Iconoclast noted that: “Less than two weeks to the ushering-in of our new President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, indications point to the fact that some aggrieved politicians and their supporters are not letting-up on their plans to foist an interim government on Nigeria.
“Our message to those involved in this aberration is that, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), has no provision for interim government.
“Also, it is trite that a new President must be sworn-in at the end of the constitutionally-guaranteed period, even as nature abhors a vacuum.
“Accordingly, we call on aggrieved politicians, who lost election, and are before the tribunal, to trust the judicial process by waiting for its outcome.
“We also trust the capacity of our security and law enforcement agencies to detect, isolate and bring to deserved justice anyone that attempts to test the will of the State”.
