The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has warned against a plot to disrupt the inauguration of the incoming administration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29, 2023.
The IGP, who said the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was working with other security agencies in the country, stated that such plots will be crushed.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Department of State Services (DSS) had said there were plans by some individuals in the country to set aside the constitution and install an interim government after May 29.
However, Baba, while speaking in Abuja on Monday, May 15, stressed that the inauguration of the incoming administration on May 29 is sacrosanct.
He said those who are not satisfied with the outcome of the February 25, 2023, presidential election should stop heating up the polity.
The IGP said: “Following the successful conclusion of the 2023 general election, it has been observed that some major political actors that the outcome did not favour, have been issuing public threats that are directed at instigating actions to frustrate the presidential inauguration on May 29.
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“The Nigeria Police and the national intelligence community have been closely monitoring the activities of these political elites as well as other elements who have formed themselves into unpatriotic brands whose only fantasy, in recent times, is to subvert our national security interests.
“In so doing, they seem to be bent on deploying extra-judicial and undemocratic means to truncate our democratic heritage in the advancement of their narrow personal political considerations.
“The 29th May 2023 date for the swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and indeed, other inauguration ceremonies at national and state levels, are sacrosanct.”
Baba, who said the peace and security of Nigeria should be sustained, noted that while police, in synergy with other security agencies, continue to closely monitor the activities of these political elements, it has become expedient to issue the stern warning.
He added: “Firstly, the Nigeria Police hereby sternly warns all political actors with subversive agenda and their collaborators, particularly, their foot soldiers who they are exposing to political radicalisation and extremism should, henceforth, jettison their ongoing premeditated attempts to create tension within the national space with intention of derailing the 29th May 2023 presidential inauguration ceremony.
“Secondly, any such persons, regardless of their political affiliations, who continuously engage in acts that are inimical to our nation’s democratic and security interests, should not be in doubt on the firm determination of the Nigeria Police under my watch to closely collaborate with the law enforcement family and the intelligence community to defend our democracy, keep the internal security order stable and optimally deploy our common unique assets towards guaranteeing the successful conduct of the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
“Thirdly, we note that the inauguration ceremonies at all the national and state levels of government are a critical constitutional requirement for the sustenance of our political order as a nation and the Nigeria Police is duty and legally bound to defend our democratic heritage and closely police the constitutional processes.
“Consequently, I assure the citizens that our loyalty to our democratic and political order remains firm and unwavering. We will defend our democracy at all costs,” Baba stressed.
He, however, urged Nigerians to be mindful of the antics of political elements who may want to manipulate their political passion to advance parochial, undemocratic, and unconstitutional objectives.
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