May 29: Jettison Premeditated Attempts To Create Tension, IGP Warns
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, CFR, has asserted that democracy will be defended at all costs in the lead-up to the inauguration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 23, 2023.
The IGP made the assertion on Monday while addressing journalists during a press briefing at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to him, intelligence reports gathered by security and intelligence agencies indicate that some major political actors who the outcome of the elections did not favour are instigating actions to frustrate the Presidential inauguration ceremony by deploying extra-judicial and undemocratic means.
Although aggrieved political actors are in Court, he noted that these political actors, either on the winning or losing party, are still threatening the nation’s democratic order.
“Unfortunately, the public utterances of some political actors and their current attempts at inciting public protests with a view to creating national tension ahead of the Presidential Swearing-in ceremony do not only negate these values, but they are also manifestly subversive, undemocratic, unconstitutional. Having submitted their political grievances to the judicial process, it remains concerning that some of the political gladiators are still bent on engaging other extra-judicial means to advance their interest in a manner that questions their overall intentions as well as the patriotic and democratic credentials which they project.
“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 radicalization and extremism to, 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.”
IGP Baba further stated that security is on high alert and anybody that stands in the way will be identified, promptly isolated, and brought to deserved justice in the overriding interest of national security and stable political order.
“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. 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 is sacrosanct,” he intoned.
Meanwhile, he admonished members of the public to promptly report any attempts by misguided political elements to infiltrate their ranks and engender political tension in the country for appropriate response.
READ OTHER STORIES:
SERIOUS ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER: IGP CONDEMNS ACT, ORDERS IMMEDIATE ARREST OF SEUN KUTI
Monarch Jailed 10 Years For Destroying Farmland In Ondo
Female Employee’s Corpse Discovered In Restaurant’s Freezer
‘I Have Participated In The Killing Of 20 Persons’ – Suspect Confesses
