Military reacts to calls for interim government in Nigeria

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters on Thursday formally reacted to calls by some individuals that the military should take over governance of the country in the form of interim government.

The call for interim government was despite the successful conduct of 2023 presidential election and emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC as the President -Elect.

While responding to questions at the bi-weekly briefing on military operations across the country on Thursday, Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, described the call for interim government as unfortunate and unconstitutional.

He added that those calling for interim government were just trying to be mischievous, given the fact that election has been conducted in the country and a President-Elect has emerged.

He also noted that Nigeria’s constitution did not provide for an interim national government.

“On the issue of interim government, it is rather unfortunate. An election has been conducted and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that is mandated has announced a president elect.

“It is not our responsibility to speak on that issue but I know that several calls have been made from the Presidency that there is nothing like interim national government.

“So I think people were just trying to be mischievous. It is unconstitutional and all of us know that.

“The constitution does not provide for an interim national government and that is the point the Presidency has been hammering on and that is our stand.

“It is unconstitutional so anything unconstitutional as far as I am concerned is not applicable,” he said.

Danmadami said the Operation Safe Conduct which was conducted towards the successful conduct of the elections to support police and INEC was successful.

He said that the military was also ready to provide similar support towards the conduct of the remaining election in two states, where elections were declared inconclusive.

According to him, the military is still working round the clock to make sure there is peace and security in the country.

“During the brief, we told you the number of people that have been kidnapped and we equally told you the efforts of the military to ensure those kidnapped victims are rescued.

“So, we will continue to carry out our responsibility to the best of ability while calling on the civil populace to support us,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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