Renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has called on Nigerians to resist the purported plot to establish an interim government. In reaction to the Department of Service Secret report on the plot, Agbakoba released a statement on Thursday, asking all Nigerians to unequivocally refute the proposal, stating that it is unconstitutional.
Agbakoba went further to urge the country’s security agencies to punish the plotters of an interim government who would intend to truncate the nation’s democratic process. He stated that despite the challenging circumstances experienced during last month’s presidential election, the president-elect’s emergence should be respected, pending the decision of the election tribunal on claims of irregularities.
“We must all reject this nonsense and respect our Constitution, which has no provision for interim arrangements,” he said. He added that all leading Presidential candidates had approached the courts with grounds of complaint concerning what they consider electoral irregularities. If the presidential candidates have accepted the democratic process by lodging petitions before the courts, then it is challenging to understand upon what basis anyone considers that an interim government is a viable and legal alternative”, he stated.
Agbakoba’s call comes at a time when there is widespread speculation of a plot to establish an interim government in Nigeria. The Director-General of the State Security Service, SSS, Yusuf Bichi, had recently issued a warning to politicians that they may face treason charges if they engage in the formation of an interim government. According to Bichi, the SSS had uncovered a plot by some individuals and groups who are opposed to the outcome of the 2019 general elections to subvert the democratic process.
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The SSS Director-General warned that those who seek to establish an interim government are in breach of the country’s constitution and may face treason charges. He also expressed concern that the activities of the plotters could lead to a breakdown of law and order, which would be detrimental to the peace and stability of the country.
Agbakoba’s statement is a significant call for all Nigerians to reject the proposed interim government, and instead, respect the democratic process that was used during the general elections. This call is necessary, given the current political environment in Nigeria, where there is much uncertainty about the future of the country.
In the past few weeks, there have been several protests and demonstrations by opposition parties, calling for the cancellation of the results of the presidential elections. Many Nigerians have raised concerns about the credibility of the results, citing widespread irregularities and voter suppression.
The decision of the election tribunal, which is expected to hear the petitions of the opposition parties, will be crucial in determining the direction of Nigeria’s democratic process. However, despite the challenges faced during the elections, it is critical that Nigerians maintain confidence in the democratic process and allow the rule of law to take its course.
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Agbakoba’s call for Nigerians to reject the proposed interim government is, therefore, a testament to the resilience of the Nigerian people in the face of such uncertainty. It is essential that all Nigerians remain vigilant and continue to defend the country’s democracy against any attempt to subvert it.
