DSS says it has identified those behind nefarious plot to form interim government on May 29

NIGERIA'S Department of State Services (DSS) has warned that certain individuals are working on a plot to disrupt Nigeria's democratic transition with plans to form an interim government on May 29.

On Saturday February 25, Nigerians went to the polls to elect a new president and the Independent National Election Commission (Inec) subsequently declared Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the winner. Among the other main gladiators in the contest were Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party and former Kano State governor Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

Inec chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as the returning officer for the presidential election, declared Asiwaju Tinubu the victor of the contest with 8,794,726 votes, defeating Alhaji Abubakar of the PDP, who came second with 6,984,520 votes and Governor Obi who came third with 6,101,533 votes. However, the PDP and Labour Party have refused to accept the results.

With the political temperature very high at the moment, Festus Keyamo, the minister of state for labour and employment and APC presidential campaign spokesman, warned the PDP and Labour Party presidential candidates against taking to the streets while also pursuing their cases in court. He then issued a statement on behalf of Asiwaju Tinubu, noting that those who have taken to the streets protesting against his mandate are fixated on having an interim national government.

Now, the DSS said it has identified some key players involved in the interim government plot, adding that it is a mischievous way to set aside the constitution, undermine civil rule and plunge the country into an avoidable crisis. The DSS cautioned all stakeholders and Nigerians to be watchful and avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation.

A DSS spokesman said: “The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to 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 a 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.

Furthermore, the DSS  added that it is monitoring and will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against the perpetrators. It strongly warned those organising the plot to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations.