admin

The Department of State Services, DSS, formally acknowledged yesterday that the plot to install an interim government to rig the outcome of the just-concluded general elections was real after months of rumors to that effect.

Dr. Peter Afunanya, a spokesman for the DSS, revealed this in a statement. He said the agency had named some of the plot’s key participants but withheld the identities of the masterminds.

According to the agency, the interim government’s planners have already held several meetings where they have discussed a variety of options for carrying out their plan, such as organizing endless protests in different Nigerian cities, obtaining a warrant to declare a state of emergency, or obtaining a court injunction to prevent the inauguration of the executive and legislative branches at the federal and state levels.

The statement read,  “The DSS 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.

“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 administrations and legislative houses at the Federal and State levels.

“The DSS supports the President and Commander-in-Chief in his avowed commitment to a hitch-free handover and will assiduously work in this direction. 

”It also supports the Presidential Transition Council and such other related bodies in the states. It will collaborate with them and sister security and law enforcement agencies to ensure seamless inaugurations on May 29, 2023.

“Consequently, the DSS strongly warns those organising to thwart democracy in the country to desist from their devious schemes and orchestrations

“Stakeholders, notably judicial authorities, media and the civil society, are enjoined to be watchful and cautious to avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation.

“While its monitoring continues, the DSS will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against these misguided elements to frustrate their obnoxious intentions.” 

Contacted for his reaction yesterday, office of the President-elect simply said ”no comment.

Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has praised Rauf Aregbesola for his accomplishments as interior minister.

Adeleke asserts that Aregbesola is welcome in Osun State and that the residents there adore him.

He continued by saying he was finishing up tasks left unfinished by Aregbesola’s administration.

At the opening of the Ilesa Passport Front Office and Production Center of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Ilesa, Osun State, on Tuesday, Adeleke gave a speech.

Adeleke words were, “No matter the party you are, if you are a progressive, you are a progressive, if you are doing what the people want. When he (Aregbesola) was governor, he loved the people and the people loved him. All the projects Ogbeni left, it was abandoned for years. I promised the people during my campaign that I was going to continue the projects, that is what I am doing.

“As a civilised person, no matter the party you are, you will always love progress. That is what I will always continue to ensure that all developmental projects are continued. As a federal minister from the state, we are proud of your achievements and we will continue to be proud of you.

“Mr Minister, I am assuring you that this is your state, nobody can chase you away. This is your state, you are welcome at anytime. Even, you can come around to the Government House. When I complete all of the structures I am currently working on at the Government House, I will personally invite you to inaugurate it.”

Aregbesola previously indicated that the increase in passport applications necessitated the opening of more passport front offices across the nation.

In order to handle the enormous number of people asking for passports and keep the wait time before data capture to a minimal minimum, he claimed that numerous such centers would still be required.

“Our target is to reduce the waiting period for biometric data capture to not more than one week, after application. The Passport Front Office we are commissioning today is one of the ways we are responding to increased demand for passport, especially to reduce the waiting time for biometric data capture.

 “We have opened this front office in Alimosho, Katsina, Zaria, Daura and in several Nigerian missions abroad in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, where the enhanced passport is being rolled out,” Aregbesola said.