- * Tension, Anxiety Grips The Nation, As DSS Alerts On Alleged Plots To Unleash Violent Protests To Discredit FG, Security Agencies
By Janet Bassey (Governance Reporter, in Abuja)
A pall of anxiety currently pervades the Nigerian political space as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), said on Monday, that it has fixed Wednesday, September 6, 2023, to finally deliver judgement in the consolidate election petition case brought by the Presidential flagbearers of Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Messers Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Princess Chichi Ojei, against the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and it's presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This announcement was made on Monday, September 4, 2023 in a statement by the Chief Registra of the Court of Appeal, Umar Bangari Esq.
He said the proceedings will be transmitted openly to Nigerians in a live broadcast to be undertaken by interested television stations. Bangari also stated that human access to the tribunal's courtroom on the day of judgement delivery will only be by due accreditation, especially the party candidates and their team of lawyers. Bangari advised interested members of the public to watch the proceedings from their television sets, appealing to them, however, for maximum cooperation to ensure a hitch free exercise.
Peter Obi's Labour Party (LP), Atiku's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Princess Ojei's Allied Peoples Movement (APM), had, in April this year, and shortly before the May 29 power handover, petitioned the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) seeking to nullify the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the controversial 2023 presidential election.
In the same vein, it is also expected that the election tribunals in the states would deliver judgement in 25 states of the federation for the National Assembly, Governorship and State Assembly election petitions.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared election results in 28 states of the federation, out of which results in about 25 states are currently being challenged at the various poll tribunals.
Already, tension and anxiety has gripped the land since the announcement of the delivery of the judgement was made this Monday morning by the Appeal Court Registra, Umar Bangari. The feeling among the general public, politicians and their supporters, and their party stalwarts, including the international community, is uncertain about the kind of judicial decision the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal will come out with on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS), same Monday morning, issued a statement, saying the DSS is aware of an alleged clandestine plots by some unnamed persons or group to stage violent protests in the country.
The State Security Service made this disclosure through its reputation handler, Dr Peter Afunnanya. He revealed, in the statement, that the alleged planned violent protests in parts of the country "by some elements" was "to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters".
Dr Afunnanya also stated that the Intelligence reports available to the DSS have indicated that the "plotters include certain politicians who are desperately mobilising unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic based associations, youth and disgruntled groups for the planned action.
"Meanwhile, the Service has identified the ring leaders of the plot as well as sustained monitoring around them in order to deter them from plunging the country into anarchy.
"In view of this development, University Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Tertiary Institutions are advised to discourage their students from engaging in acts capable of derailing public peace. Also, parents and guardians are enjoined to admonish their children and wards respectively to shun the lure of participating in inimical behaviours or conducts against law and order.
"While the DSS is aware of Government’s efforts and determination to resolve some of the challenges confronting the nation, it warns those desirous of subverting national security to retrace their steps. This is more so that it will not hesitate to legally come against persons and groups behind the devious plans", the DSS Spokesman, Dr Afunnanya warned. NNL.
