IPAC condemns calls for interim government

Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)

FILE PHOTO: Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) executives

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Nigeria’s umbrella body of registered political parties, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has condemned calls in some quarters for the establishment of an interim government.

Mr. Sani Yabagi, National Chairman of IPAC, condemned the calls during a news conference held following the council’s emergency general meeting on Friday in Abuja.

Yabagi expressed concern about the Department of State Service’s (DSS) announcement that it had uncovered a plot by some individuals to violently disrupt the nation’s peace and install an interim government.

The interim government, he said, was unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unacceptably long.

“IPAC rejects any attempt to scuttle, subvert and truncate the nation’s emerging democracy by reactionary and retrogressive forces.

“It is an attempt to overheat the polity, cause confusion, political upheavals, impasse and quagmire as was the case in the infamous annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that necessitated the hasty set up of an interim government by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, which was headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan in August 1993.

“The court declared it illegal and the interim national government was overthrown by Gen. Sani Abacha in November same year,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Yabagi urged the DSS to identify the plotters, apprehend and prosecute them in accordance with the law, as a deterrent to others who might resort to self-help to achieve their selfish political goals.

He reiterated the council’s call for all aggrieved political parties, candidates, and supporters to avoid all forms of violence and seek legal redress for perceived infractions and irregularities in the conduct of the 2023 general election.

“Council further urged the judiciary to dispense justice without fear or favour as the temple of justice and last hope of all aggrieved persons.

“All eyes are on the Judiciary to justify the confidence the people reposed in it by upholding the rule of law.

“That is the only way to assuage the anger in the land and maintain the sanctity of the ballot box,” Yabagi said.

Furthermore, he noted that IPAC would continue to oppose anti-democratic forces under any guise while appreciating and commending those who add value to Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

NAN

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