…As DSS confirms plot, promises hitch-free handover
‘They have done it before but this time, they will not succeed’ – Oladejo
The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has raised alarm over plots by partisan political actors to scuttle the swearing-in ceremony of the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, slated for May 29.
The group, an umbrella body for all Muslim groups and organisations and the mouthpiece of all Muslims in the southwest Nigeria, raised the alarm in a statement issued on Wednesday by its president, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, a copy of which was received by Muslim News.
Alhaji Oladejo cautioned Nigerians to not be used by politicians to overheat the polity and disrupt civil rule for selfish ends.
The Department of State Services, DSS, also confirmed the plots to truncate the country’s democracy by opting for an interim government, promising that nothing will stop the May 29 handover to the president-elect, the second southwest Muslim to be democratically elected in Nigeria.
According to the MUSWEN President, “We are keenly observing all the ongoing stratagems in the political landscape of Nigeria. Most of the evil machinations border on intrigues by partisan political actors.
“Without a doubt, their ultimate intent is to scuttle the swearing-in of President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-Elect Kashim Shettima. Nigerians know many of them with their antics of mobilising innocent and exuberant youths for fomenting trouble.
“Why is it that it is only when a candidate of southwest extraction emerges as president that such political shenanigans are contrived?
“Unfortunately, some of the dramatis personae are elders of Yoruba origin! We have not forgotten how they scuttled Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s June 12, 1993 victory. This time, they will not succeed, in shaa Allah.”
Speaking further, the MUSWEN president said, “Another method they employ now is to speak through fake prophets who hoax Nigerians into believing that they know which direction Nigeria should go. All these in an attempt to foist their preferred candidate on all Nigerians.
“Thank God for President Muhammadu Buhari, who we know as a committed democrat and cannot be swayed into scuttling this democracy.
“We, hereby, further urge President Muhammadu Buhari not to be distracted by the devilish yearnings of the political detractors, masquerading as patriotic nationalists. They don’t want him to have a smooth transition of power to an elected president.
“Their dream is to have an interim national government. This, they plan, to have their cronies installed and eventually pave way for them to continue to hold Nigeria by the jugular.
“MUSWEN says NO to this retrogressive move. It has failed. Nigerians are wiser now and will never condone such an anti-development agenda.
Alhaji Oladejo added, “President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President-Elect Kashim Shettima have won fair and square. They must be inaugurated on Monday, 29th May 2023,” he added.
As DSS confirms plot, promises hitch-free handover
Meanwhile, the Nigerian secret police also warned those involved in the alleged plot to desist from doing so or face the full wrath of the law, vowing to take decisive steps, in collaboration with other security forces, against those plotting to undermine the country’s democratic rule
A statement issued in Abuja and signed by the Spokesman of the agency, Dr Peter Afunanya, said it “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”.
It said “The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to 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.
“The planners, in their many meetings, have weighed various options, which include, among others, to sponsor endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of state of emergency.
“Another is to obtain frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administration and legislative houses at the federal and state levels”.
The Department of State Security said it fully supports President Muhammadu Buhari in his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover on May 29, 2023 and would work assiduously in that direction.
“It also supports the Presidential Transition Council and such other related bodies in the states. We will collaborate with them and other security and law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless inauguration come May, 29, 2023”, it said.
The DSS, therefore, warned those involved in the plot to desist from doing so.
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