The Police says the Force would crush any attempt by individuals or groups to derail Nigeria’s democracy, saying that May 29, 2023 handing over date is ‘sacrosanct’.
The Inspector-General of Police IGP Usman Alkali made this known while in a briefing with newsmen at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
IGP Alkali said following the successful conclusion of the 2023 General elections, it has been observed that some major political actors that the outcome did not favour, have been issuing public threats that are directed at instigating actions to frustrate the Presidential inauguration ceremony on May 29, 2023.
The IGP revealed that “The Nigeria Police and the National Intelligence Community have been closely monitoring the activities of these political elites as well as other elements who have formed themselves into unpatriotic brands whose only fantasy, in recent times, is to subvert our national security interests.”
He also said that Sustenance of peace and security is even more expedient at this stage of Nigeria’s democratic transition.
“The Nigeria Police, in synergy with other security agencies and the intelligence community, continues to closely monitor the activities of these political elements, it has become expedient to make some clear statements.
“It is also hinged on the right of aggrieved political actors to submit grievances on the electoral outcome to the judicial process for consideration.
“The credentials of a true democrat must, therefore, be measured by his or her level of patriotism, and willingness to manifest the culture of submitting to rule of law, peace, democratic values, and the judicial process.
“These are integral and critical components of the political process.
“It is also expected that a true democrat will subsume his or her personal political ambition under overriding national security and democratic interests of the country.”
He added that 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.
The IGP therefore warned that “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 on-going premeditated attempts to create tension within the national space with intention of derailing the May 29, 2023 Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
“Any such persons, regardless of their political affiliations who continuously engages in acts that are inimical to the nation’s democratic and security interests should not be in doubt on the firm determination of the Nigeria Police to 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.“
Consequently, the Police Chief assured the citizens that democratic and political order remains firm and unwavering.
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.
“The constitutional mandates of the Nigeria Police include the security governance of the processes leading to the inauguration of elected candidates at all levels and the guarantee for the successful conduct of the inauguration events.”
IGP Alkali encouraged citizens to be mindful of the antics of political elements who may want to manipulate their political passion to advance parochial, undemocratic, and unconstitutional objectives.
“They should resist such, go about their lawful businesses and prepare to be part of the advancement of in the countrys democratic journey as patriotic citizens by freely participating in the inauguration ceremonies, assured that the Nigeria Police have acquired adequate assets to guarantee their protection.
He also encouraged to promptly report any attempts by the misguided political elements to infiltrate their ranks and engender political tension in the country for appropriate law enforcement response.
