Tinubu: Afenifere Takes Position On Interim Government

Yoruba socio-political and cultural organization, Afenifere has stated that it would not recognize any Interim National Government in the country.

In a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere said any step that would jeopardize the May 29 inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the next President of Nigeria should be resisted.

Ajayi also warned against steps being taken that may be prejudicial to the swearing-in of Tinubu as the next Nigerian leader, adding that the untoward development is gaining attraction in and outside the country.

He reminded those who are fanning embers of non-inauguration to be aware that the planned interim government would affect not only the Tinubu government but all the tiers of government.

Ajayi, however, charged the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Police to apprehend those they suspected of being behind the nefarious plot to force an interim government.

He said: “The disruption will affect all other tiers of government as well, governors at the state level, the legislatures at the national and state levels, and perhaps the local government areas.

“There is therefore the need to exercise a lot of caution. The laws of the land created avenues to seek redress when we are aggrieved. We enjoin those who may not be satisfied with the outcome of the concluded elections to seek redress through the established channels and not through any other means.

“It is also important to let members of the public realize that anything short of following due process, particularly in the swearing-in of winners of the just concluded elections, constitutes grave dangers for the country. This must not be accepted or encouraged at all because of its dire consequences.

“The successful conclusion of a general election this year has provided the country another opportunity to re-invent itself. We believe that the government that will be formed at the expiration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration on May 29 this year will open new (positive) vistas for the country. The new government, a product of the process created by the Nigerian Constitution i.e. electoral process, elicits hope of a new lease because of the acrimonious air and near despondence in the land.

“As for those who are pushing for an Interim Government, this should not be allowed to happen first because it is alien to our law books and also because we have had an experience of it in the past. Not only was the experience unpleasant, but it was also retrogressive. It is a path we should not tread again for any reason. Especially since there is no basis for it whatsoever.”

Ajayi said the successful conclusion of the 2023 general election has provided the country another opportunity to reinvent itself, adding that the interim government is alien to the constitution.

The Afenifere spokesman also urged the Judiciary not to entertain cases that may be brought to derail the hard-earned civil rule and thus scuttle democracy.

He added: “In view of the setbacks the contraption of Interim Government always brings, it is important to let its advocates know that it is an ill wind that blows no one any good. Those of them who, simply because they were uncomfortable with the result of the February 25, Presidential election, want the baby to be thrown away with the bath water.

“Ordinarily, it could be said that the allegation of steps capable of jeopardizing the handing over to the President-elect on May 29th is unreal. Doing so however would be playing the ostrich going by the confirmation by the DSS, opinions expressed against it by such groups and individuals like Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Mr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, APC Governors’ Forum, etc.

“Since we know that it is fraught with danger, it is very necessary we make it known that it would be unacceptable.

“It is by so doing and by taking the culprits to the court that members of the public would believe that the security agency is not just crying wolf or selling a dummy.”