News
Opinion: That Malaria Dream of Interim National Government
- /home/rhoncare/pointblank.ng/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://pointblank.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Presidenyc-Buhari-1000x600.jpg&description=Opinion: That Malaria Dream of Interim National Government', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/rhoncare/pointblank.ng/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 69
https://pointblank.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Presidenyc-Buhari-1000x600.jpg&description=Opinion: That Malaria Dream of Interim National Government', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
By Solomon Idachaba
The preposterous proposition for an Interim National Government currently championed by some individuals and groups is indicative of an underlying illness perhaps being suffered by those calling for it. There is definitely no doubt that such persons are nothing but desperate and pathetic miscreants trying to grasp at straws as a last bid to achieve the demented ambition of clinching power. Like drowning men, the illusions of installing a caretaker government is indeed their only hope of satisfying wicked, selfish and inglorious interests. Nothing justifies these senseless calls for Interim government in Nigeria considering that a seamless democratic form of Government has been practiced in the past two decades.
In fact, the country has just successfully conducted its seasonal elections from which a new government was duly elected and will be sworn in on 29th May, 2023. Not only that, the current security atmosphere has remained relatively peaceful and normalcy has returned with citizens going about their daily activities. Only naysayers are grandstanding.
So on what grounds are the despicable agitations for an interim national Government? On what basis should it be formed? Is Nigeria in a crisis situation? Are we in any emergency or chaotic circumstances? Is the Nation bedevilled with violence or experiencing general sense of instability? The answer is NO! It is crystal clear that these psychotic agitators of a government that could threaten the country’s existence are acutely diseased by Malaria and its accompanying symptoms of a high fever thereby blindsiding their thought processes. Otherwise, those calling for it, would have understood its meaning. Nigeria has bid bye even to the circumstances that once warranted it. Its justification is clearly non-existent in our statutes.
Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the tradition of transition from one government to another has been steady and ceremonial every May 29. Curiously, these unwarranted palpitations for interim government started prior to the 2023 general elections apparently by those who have calculated their chances of winning the elections and were certain of a resounding defeat.
When out of the blues, the likes of Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) in the last quarter of 2022, called for an Interim Government after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, what came to mind was that the 93-year-old “elder statesman” was daydreaming.
For Babalola and his other unstated cohorts, the sentiments upon which an ING is premised or perceived cannot even hold water. All the illogical reasons are old fashioned. To push their agenda forward, after the general election and following their abysmal failure to win, which of course, was in tune with their earlier predictions of failing at the polls, they collaborated with subversive groups and dubious interests, thus, the recent growing pressure to install an interim government. Once again, I ask, on what grounds?
One thing that is clear is that those beating the drums for Interim National Government are hell bent on truncating our cherished democracy and eroding the gains and growth achieved as a country in the last 24 years. These Malaria stricken persons calling for such, must understand that this ill-advised option is not a silver bullet solution to Nigeria’s problems. approach to address them. An interim government will not in any way solve our underlying problems. But alas, these enemies of Nigeria, its peace, stability and progress are ignorant.
The so called clamour for an interim government is definitely a ploy by political elites, failed politicians and agents of destabilisation to gain power. It is not an exaggeration that these persons are not interested in addressing the problems facing the country but rather in securing political and economic influence in addition to other personal gains. But these fruitless efforts are nothing but a lost cause. Nigerians have spoken through the ballots and elected their next President that will take over the mantle of leadership come 29th May. No amount of threats, mischief or propaganda will stop or prevent this peaceful transition.
Contrary to the lies and falsehood being circulated by fake news merchants, President Buhari has strongly assured that he would indeed hand over power to the newly elected President. Those peddling fake news and spreading baseless conspiracy theories around the inevitable transmission of power on democracy day are only beating a dead horse. Their ploy will never come to fruition; only disgraceful defeats await them. The Country’s electoral umpire has advised those aggrieved by the outcome of the 2023 general elections to seek legal redress. And they are doing so.
It beats rationality that they would want to be on the street and in the courts. Let them choose one. If they choose the streets and recalcitrance, let them be treated as dissidents and outlaws. But if they are in the courts, let them be served justice. During the waiting time, let us all be patient, law abiding and of good behaviour. Those Malaria afflicted peddlers of an inconceivable and futile interim government should take full dose of their drugs and be healed.
Idachaba writes from Makurdi, Benue State
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has thrown its weight behind Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent United Nations (UN) investigation into the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The party said an impartial and transparent international investigation would help establish the facts surrounding the incident and boost public confidence in the ongoing efforts to unravel the circumstances of the abduction.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party believed a UN-backed inquiry would uncover the truth, ensure accountability and deliver justice to the victims and their families.
According to the party, Governor Makinde’s request for a UN investigation was driven by the need for transparency rather than politics, stressing that all questions surrounding the incident should be addressed through a credible and independent process that Nigerians can trust.
The NDC also urged the Federal Government to support every lawful initiative aimed at uncovering the truth, strengthening public confidence in the country’s security institutions and preventing similar incidents in the future.
It maintained that the safety and security of Nigerian children should never become a subject of political disagreement or speculation, insisting that the lives of students deserve the highest level of accountability.
The party added that an independent investigation would not only clarify the circumstances surrounding the abduction but also reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s security and justice systems.
Governor Makinde had earlier called for a UN-led investigation into the school abduction, saying an independent inquiry would lend credibility to the findings and address public concerns over the incident.
The kidnapping of students and teachers in Oriire has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed calls for stronger security measures in schools and better protection for pupils, students and educational personnel.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as false claims circulating in the media by a factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, that he had obtained the commission’s access code and uploaded the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election.
The claim, which has been widely shared on social media, suggested that Bala’s faction had successfully completed the upload of candidates on INEC’s nomination portal.
However, when contacted by Daily Trust, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, described the claim as untrue, insisting that Bala is not recognised by the commission as the national chairman of the ADC.
“It is not true,” she said.
A further check by Daily Trust on INEC’s official political parties portal also contradicted Bala’s claim.
The commission’s portal lists Sen. David Mark as the National Chairman of the ADC and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary, indicating that they remain the party officials recognised by INEC for the purpose of nominations and other statutory dealings.
The development comes amid the protracted leadership crisis within the ADC, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national leadership ahead of the 2027 general election.
The controversy has intensified following reports by Bala’s faction that it had secured INEC’s access code and uploaded candidates, a claim now firmly denied by the electoral commission.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has assured its members and supporters nationwide that the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s congresses will not affect its primary elections or the candidates who emerged from the processes.
In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the judgment only relates to the election of its ward, local government and state executive committees and has no impact on the direct primaries conducted by the party.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) notes the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday in a matter relating to party congresses for the election of ward, local government and state executive committees of the party,” the statement read.
The party stressed that the ruling does not invalidate the emergence of its candidates at any level.
“We wish to assure members of the party and the general public that this judgment has no effect whatsoever on the direct primaries through which the party’s candidates have emerged at all levels,” it said.
The ADC also disclosed that it had begun the process of challenging the judgment at a higher court, insisting that it disagrees with the decision.
“The party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable,” the statement added.
The party further said it took note of the dissenting judgment delivered by the presiding justice, describing it as more consistent with its position and the law.
“We also note the dissenting judgment of the presiding Justice, which, in our view, more accurately reflects the settled position of the law and the party’s position,” it stated.
The ADC appealed to its members and supporters across the country to remain calm and focused despite the court ruling.
“We urge all party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident and focused,” the statement said.
The party said it would continue to pursue its goal of offering Nigerians a credible alternative through constitutional and lawful means.
“The African Democratic Congress remains committed to the task of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative and will continue to pursue that mission in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law,” the statement added.
