The speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has spoken against another shift of election date in Nigeria and insinuations about planned interim government.
At a meeting held at the National Assembly on Tuesday with members of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Mr Tambuwal stressed the need for politicians not to heat the polity in any form.
The speaker also spoke against individuals who he said were working against peaceful, free and fair general elections.
“Dark Days May Return”
“It is very clear that if we are not careful, the dark days may return to Nigeria. We must not be playing Ostrich.
“It is very clear that certain individuals are not interested in a free and fair process of election in this country.
“We must not forget the fact that out of the over 170 people, the less than 2,000 of us that are elected are merely privileged by God to find ourselves where we are,” the Speaker cautioned.
He said that the lawmakers had passed a motion on the floor of the House, laying emphasis on the time line of elections. He warned that further postponement of the elections may portend danger on Nigeria’s democracy and possibly on the country.
Mr Tambuwal further questioned why there was so much talk about a plan for an interim government, stressing that the nation’s constitution did not provide for such system of government.
“All this talk about interim government, where? We do not have it in the constitution. Is anybody trying to come and remove us from here first? Those talking about interim government, are they planning a coupe? We should ask them,” he said.
He explained that anyone planning an interim government would have to halt the current arrangement before an interim government could be established, something he said was outside the constitution.
“In any case, any form of government outside the constitution is a coupe against this democracy.
“I don’t even know why our security agencies are allowing people to be talking about this when they know that it is treasonable. People must not take advantage of their positions to put this country into chaos,” he warned.
Nigeria’s general elections had already been shifted once from earlier date of February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, announcing the postponement on February 7 said it took the decision after wide-reaching consultations.
It further said it had been advised by military chiefs to shift the election by six weeks to enable the military secure communities in the north-east under the control of the Boko Haram terrorist group and make room for all Nigerians to take part in the election.
Post a Comment