The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have asked the Department of State Services to arrest plotters of the interim national government.
This is after the DSS, on Wednesday, raised an alarm over a plot by some Nigerians to thwart the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The DSS, in a statement in Abuja by its Spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya, alleged that those behind the plot planned to undermine civil rule and foist an interim government on the country.
Reacting, the presidential campaign council of the two major political parties, in separate interviews with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, said the push for the ING was unconstitutional.
The Director of Strategic Communications for the APC PCC, Idris Mohammed, said the DSS should arrest the plotters.
Mohammed warned that the APC PCC would go all out to ensure nothing hinders a smooth swearing-in of Tinubu.
He said, “The APC PCC is aligned with the position of the DSS, which we believe is doing its job. If this statement is coming directly from the DSS itself, it means that it is not an empty allegation. In any case, we believe the security agencies are also there to deal with this kind of situation. That is why they are there. Their duty is to thwart any threat against the Nigerian nation. They should react to it and go the extra mile to pin down those also responsible.
“We are seeing a pattern which we believe the DSS is also seeing. Otherwise, you cannot as far as call for a coup d’etat and pretend to still believe in democracy.”
Also, the PDP called on the DS to immediately pick up for questioning, the elements pushing for an ING.
The party, through its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, expressed worry that the security outfit had yet to arrest such persons for “treason” against the backdrop of the unconstitutionality of an interim government.
Abdullahi said, “They should immediately go after such persons because it is the right thing to do. What are they still waiting for? The interim national government is alien to our constitution and there is no basis for anybody no matter how highly placed to contemplate it.
“Elections have been successfully held both nationally and sub-nationally. Those that are being disputed are already before the courts. So why should anyone come up with this at this material time? The DSS owes Nigerians a duty to act and the time to do so now.
“They should be arrested for treason because that is what it is. Arresting those concerned will act as a deterrent to those with a negative and dangerous mindset for our country.”
