Interim Government: Not For Nigerians Interest -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

The department of State Security Service(DSS), has raised an alarm of clandestine move by some cabals to stop the swearing in of president-elect,Bola Tinubu, on 29 May. Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, stated that some persons have weighed various options, which include foisting interim government after obtaining frivolous court injunctions to forestall the inauguration of new executive administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels. Afunanya said such persons were also considering sponsoring endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of Emergency. 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 state security department warned civil society Organizations, media and court to be vigilant so not to play into the dangerous hands of these plotters
Even before the press release by the DSS, one recalls, at the peak of naira redesign policy crises which is few days to general elections, governor Nasiru El-rufai of Kaduna state, raised similar threat. He stated that some cabals in the villa are behind the currencies redesign policy in other to make his party lost the election. El-rufai also accused the cabals for plotting interim government if APC eventually wins the presidential election. There is no section in our constitution that provide room for “interim government” after elections have been conducted and winners declared. Nigerians knew about “interim government” during the dark days of military rules. The annulment of 1993 presidential election which was adjudged as free and fairest, in which late Bashoru Abiola of SDP won, led to the foisting of the interim government by IBB military regime. The then military president, Ibrahim Babangida(IBB), had to quit the stage due to the mounting of pressure from NADECO and other pro-democrats to declare Abiola as the legitimate president.

In other to calm the looming crises that stared the nation at face because of the unfortunate annulment, IBB, cleverly appointed Arnest Shonikan as the interim head of state. This was to pave the way for the emergency of his chief of Army staff, General Abacha, as the next president. Shonikan interim government did not last long as Abacha strike to become the head of state. If interim government could be foisted to the country during military era, we are now in constitutional democracy in which leaders emerged through democratic ways i.e free and fair elections. So, if those who contested and lost the elections are dissatisfied with the results, they can seek redress in elections tribunal.

Thank God, the major contenders have taken the right channel to challenge the victory of Bola Tinubu in court. Both Atiku Abubakar of PDP and Peter Obi of labour party have approached the tribunal to declare them winner. This is the beauty of democracy.

While Nigerian democracy is over two decades, the threat of interim government being bandied by DSS and other key stakeholders should not be treated with kinds’ gloves. There is the need for Sate Security Services to go after these evil forces and arrest them. Nigeria is biggest than individuals interest.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state 08169056963.