Government tightens security for inauguration

By Lasisi Kamoru
Kanempress
19th May 2023

Nigerian government has put in place security measures at venues and for guests, expected at the transition inauguration.

“Adequate arrangements have been made for the safety and security of all people throughout the inauguration period,’’.

The Chairman, Security, Facilities, and Intelligence Committee and National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, said covert and overt operations had been put in place to secure the venues as well as hotels for guests’ accommodation.

Monguno said that attacks during the events were not being envisaged, warning those who have no business at the venues of the events to steer clear of them.

He said, “Our primary function is to provide both overt and covert security cover for all the venues where the stated activities would be held, including the hotels where guests would be staying. The span of our work is before, during, and after the inauguration.

‘’My advice is that if you have no business at the venue, you need not be there. The most important message I would like to pass across to you is that we do not envisage anything negative. Everybody should be calm, especially those coming from other countries.”

Tight security assured

Adejobi said, “We have made adequate deployment of personnel and equipment for activities lined up for the presidential inauguration, and also for the inauguration ceremony itself. All security exigencies have been checked. There’s no cause for alarm as the inauguration ceremony will be held seamlessly.

“The police will provide adequate manpower and equipment for the security of everyone, and there’s no threat to the inauguration as everything has been put in check.”

The Spokesperson for the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, said no fewer than 3,000 operatives had been deployed on covert and overt operations ahead of the transition programme.

He said, “The NSCDC will be deploying 3,000 personnel for the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu. The personnel will be deployed from the National Headquarters and the Federal Capital Territory Command. It is going to be a joint effort with other security agencies to ensure the success of the inauguration.”

Meanwhile , the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has slated May 24 for ruling on the suit filed by five FCT residents seeking an order to stop the inauguration of the president-elect.

The plaintiffs- Anyaegbunam Okoye, David Adzer, Jeffrey Uche, Osang Paul and Chibuike Nwanchukwu sued for themselves and on behalf of other residents and registered voters in the FCT.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023 before the Federal High Court on April 28, the plaintiffs aver that Tinubu failed to secure at least 25 per cent of votes cast in the FCT.

They are seeking an order of court restraining the Chief Justice of Nigeria and any judicial officer and/or any authority or persons from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as president or vice president.

The counsel for the plaintiffs, Chuks Nwachukwu, had earlier informed the court that they filed the ex parte application and originating motions seeking a referral of the constitutional matters to the Court of Appeal for interpretation.

Justice Inyang Ekwo said the applicants should address the court on their locus standi and whether there is a similar matter before the presidential elections court.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Ekwo adjourned the matter after Nwachukwu addressed the court on the issue of locus standi, jurisdiction and whether the matter is not already before the presidential election petition court.

In his argument, the counsel told the court that it had jurisdiction to hear the matter since the plaintiffs are not parties to the petition currently before the presidential election petition court.

In a related development, Ali Ali, the Coordinator of the Peace and Stability Initiative, said the group had uncovered plans by local and foreign interests to thwart the May 29 inauguration of the new administration.

In a statement, Ali said foreign agents collaborating with local organisations masquerading as civil society groups are at the centre of the plot.

He said the plans had been in the works since Tinubu was announced as the president-elect on March 1.

“These agents of destabilisation have not relented in their evil plots even though we are just a few days away from the May 29, 2023 inauguration of a new central government that will be led by the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.
[19/05, 07:26] Aunty Yemi VON: Nigerian govt confirms litigation won’t stop Tinubu’s inauguration

The Nigerian Government says litigation won’t stop the inauguration of President-Elect, Bola Tinubu and his vice, Kashim Shettima.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha addressed a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

The Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council (PTC) stated that the May 29 ceremony remains sacrosanct.

Mustapha said there was a court case after the election of former President Shehu Shagari but the inauguration was held.

“Also, during the election of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, there was litigation but we continued with the swearing-in.

“It was only former President Goodluck Jonathan that did not take the route of litigation,” the SGF added.

Mustapha said the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act made provisions on how to go about litigations arising from elections.

The PTC chairman, however, disclosed that a number of Heads of Governments had indicated interest in attending the inauguration.