The Defence Headquarters has assured Nigerians that there will be peaceful transition of power by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on May 29.
The Armed Forces high command also noted that the country was safe contrary to insinuations by the United States of America.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Musa Danmadami, conveyed the assurances of the military high command on Thursday during a briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The DMO was reacting to alleged calls by some individuals for an Interim National Government, and threats by terror groups to halt the transition period.
Danmadami said, “As far as the internal security of the nation is concerned, the police are the lead agency, we are only providing assistance to civil authority and civil power.
“Just like the general elections came and are gone, and winners have been announced, the transition of power will also come and go peacefully. People are just being apprehensive of a situation that is not there.”
Danmadami also noted that the country was safe contrary to the widely published travel advisory by the United States authorities in recent times.
He added, “You will recall that there was a United States travel advisory and up till now we are still waiting for the consequences. People have been predicting that the country is finished but nothing has happened up till now. As members of the Armed Forces, like I always tell you, we are not resting on our laurels in order to ensure that peace and security are sustained in this country.
“I equally assure you that the intelligence community are working round-the-clock just as the Armed Forces are working to ensure there is peace and tranquillity. And I can assure you that there are a lot of follow-up operations going on round-the-clock. Every day people are being arrested; people who are on the verge of committing crimes are being arrested, and people who are moving weapons from one point to the other to commit crimes are being arrested every day as reflected in today’s briefing.
“So, both the intelligence community and members of the Armed Forces are working round the clock to make sure we nip these things in the bud and if it happens, we respond to it appropriately. So, people should not be afraid that when the present administration hands over there will be calamity all over the place.”
Meanwhile, some protesters under the aegis of Almagamated APC Support Group, on Thursday, staged a walk tagged “Sustaining Democracy,” in Abeokuta, Ogun State, against agitation for an interim government ahead of May 29.
The protesters, led by the group’s South-West chairman, Ganiu Adesina, carried placards with different inscriptions, such as, “No to military invasion in politics;” “On Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s mandate we stand;” “We believe judiciary to uphold democracy;” “Go to court, don’t cause war;” amongst others.
The group walked from the popular Ori Omi, through Oke Ilewo and terminated its procession at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan.
Addressing newsmen, Adesina said, “The reason we are here is to defend our mandate.The election in which President-elect, Bola Tinubu, emerged we must uphold.
Some people are calling for an interim government and we, supporters of Tinubu since 2019, are saying Tinubu must be sworn in. These people are calling for the cancellation of election, which is against the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Cc: Punch
