The presidency says people claiming that there is a plot to
disrupt the general election and impose an interim government are those
“afraid” of losing elections.
The position of the presidency was contained in a statement
issued on Friday by Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesperson.
The presidency’s response comes hours after Nasir el-Rufai,
governor of Kaduna, said the cash scarcity following the naira redesign policy,
as well as the current petrol scarcity, is part of a plot to ensure that “the
2023 Elections do not hold at all, leading to an interim national government to
be led by a retired army general”.
The presidency, however, dismissed the claim of an interim
government, saying it was an attempt to incite 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,”
the statement reads.
“The talk of interim government and truncation of democracy
is way off the mark. Those who peddle it stand to gain nothing – nothing at all
– but the creation of panic and the incitement of the public against the
federal government.
“It is another dangerous dimension by people who are afraid
that they may lose their elections.
“Everybody is aware
that there is a lot of pressure on everyone – all of us – the party, its
elected officials, its candidates, and law enforcement agencies following the
way the currency swap has gone but the way to go is not to panic.
“There is indeed a problem and nobody will pretend that it
doesn’t exist.
It is precisely because the President is concerned with this
problem that he opened several avenues for consultation with leaders and groups
across the country, culminating in his broadcast to the nation on Thursday
morning.
“In line with the speech, his clear and unequivocal
directive is that the problem of cash supply must be addressed without delay.
While this is being done, there is no need to panic. We need to work together
as leaders; as a people and as one nation. When panic hits, people go into
overdrive. Shouting helps no one because no one can listen.
“The solution to the problem is not in sending Nigerians
into confusion.
Elections, just a week ahead, will hold and Nigerians will
vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC, (and any others if they so wish)
on the basis of their choice.
“Our people want
progress, good governance, law, and order and will not be swayed by the
negative energy that is being expended against a well-meaning currency change.”
Shehu, however, added that President Muhammadu Buhari is
still in support of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Finally, to state that: the President clearly has a
favoured successor in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is not in doubt. The fact that
Tinubu has been opposed to the speed and timing of the Naira swap timetable
does not mean he is against the idea of Nigeria becoming a cashless society. Of
course, Tinubu does support a cashless society: for he is a man of the future,”
the statement reads.
“What should be made crystal clear to the doubters and the
speculators and the untruth-tellers is that in no way was the naira swap
“engineered” to keep the President in office beyond May 29. Nothing could be
further from the truth.
“The President looks
forward to handing over the reins of power to his elected successor. This will
happen on May 29, 2023 as the Constitution requires it.
The days of unelected Nigerian leaders, and those who
outstay their welcome by unconstitutionally extending it, have gone.”
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