2023: ‘Undemocratic’ idea of interim government should be rejected – NPSA

The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), has called for total rejection of Interim Government in the country saying such is diversionary and intended to truncate the democratic rights of Nigerians, and will result in democratic reversals with dire consequences.

This was said as part of recommendation in the communique issued by the body at the end of their roundtable held in Abuja on attaining electoral integrity in the Country’s 2023 General Election, signed by the President ,Professor Hassan Saliu.

The body said, “The idea of an Interim Government and various permutations, such as the Doctrine of Necessity, that echo it, are diversionary and are intended to truncate the democratic rights of Nigerians.”

According to the body, such action will result in democratic reversals with dire consequences for the country and should, therefore, be rejected and shut down.

This was noted in the wake of the claim made by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai which has aroused apprehension from various quarters on the possibility of the highly anticipated elections might not hold which may lead to appointment of an Interim Government.

It would be recalled that the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday described the current scarcity of naira notes and the federal government policy as part of an alleged plot to disrupt the forthcoming general election to ensure an interim government takes over.

However speaking recently, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the claim was the handiwork of fifth columnist, planning to destabilise the country.

Similarly, the presidency, in a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu on Friday, said those spreading the rumour of interim government are only causing panic.

“Let us clearly, specifically and emphatically state that there is absolutely no truth to the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is working towards an interim government or even worse, the truncation of democracy – democracy that he has helped to keep alive not only here at home, in West Africa but throughout the continent,” Shehu explained.

N.O