By Solomon Idachaba
The absurd proposition of a National Interim Government, which is currently being supported by a number of individuals and organizations, is suggestive of an underlying illness, which may be being experienced by those who are advocating for it. There is not the slightest shred of a shadow of a doubt in anyone’s mind that such individuals are nothing more than hopeless and pitiful miscreants trying to clutch at straws in a last ditch effort to achieve their irrational goal of seizing power. Akin to men who are drowning, the illusions of installing a caretaker government are in fact their only hope of satisfying their evil, self-centered, and dishonorable interests. Given that a continuous democratic form of government has been in place in Nigeria for the better part of the last two decades, there is no justification for the illogical calls for an interim government in that country.
In point of fact, the nation has recently completed its periodic elections with flying colors, resulting in the election of a new government that will be sworn in on May 29th, 2023. In addition to this, the current security climate has remained relatively calm, and normalcy has returned to the city as evidenced by the citizens going about their daily activities. Grandstanding is only done by pessimists.
Therefore, on what grounds do the despicable agitations for a national interim government take place? On what foundation should it be established? Is there currently a state of emergency in Nigeria? Are there any life-threatening situations or chaotic conditions? Are acts of violence plaguing the nation, or is there a more pervasive feeling of unsteadiness? The answer is a resounding NO! It is crystal clear that these psychotic agitators of a government that could threaten the existence of the country are acutely diseased by malaria and its accompanying symptoms of a high fever, thereby blindsiding their thought processes. This threat could potentially endanger the existence of the country. In that case, those who demanded it would have been able to comprehend its meaning. Nigeria has said goodbye to everything, including the conditions that once called for it. It is abundantly clear that there is no justification for it in any of our statutes.
Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, the tradition of transitioning from one government to another has been consistent and ceremonial every May 29. This date also marks the anniversary of Nigeria’s return to democracy. Curiously, these unwarranted palpitations for interim government started prior to the general elections in 2023, which seems to indicate that they were initiated by those who had calculated their chances of winning the elections and were positive that they would suffer a humiliating loss.
When someone out of the blue, like Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), in the last quarter of 2022 called for an interim government after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, the first thing that came to mind was that the “elder statesman,” who was 93 years old at the time, was daydreaming.
The sentiments upon which an ING is premised or perceived cannot even hold water for Babalola and the other unstated cohorts with whom he is associated. All of the illogical reasons are now considered archaic. After the general election and following their catastrophic loss at the polls, which, of course, was in line with their earlier predictions of failing at the polls, they collaborated with subversive groups and dubious interests to push their agenda forward; as a result, there has been recent and growing pressure to install an interim government. I’ll ask this question one more time: on what grounds?
One thing that is abundantly clear is that those who are drumming up support for an interim national government are dead set on stifling our cherished democracy and rolling back the progress and advancement that we have made as a nation over the course of the past 24 years. These individuals who are afflicted with malaria and are advocating for such a measure need to realize that this unwise choice is not the magic bullet that will solve all of Nigeria’s problems. strategy for dealing with those concerns. An interim government will not in any way solve the fundamental issues that we are facing. Sadly, however, these adversaries of Nigeria, as well as its peace, stability, and progress, are ignorant.
The so-called outcry for an interim government is unquestionably a ploy to seize power on the part of political elites, career politicians who have been defeated, and agents of destabilization. It is not an exaggeration to say that the individuals in question are not interested in finding solutions to the issues that are currently confronting the nation; rather, they are more concerned with securing political and economic influence in addition to other personal gains. However, these pointless efforts are only contributing to a hopeless cause. The voice of the Nigerian people has been heard through the casting of ballots, and they have chosen the individual who will assume the mantle of leadership on May 29. This transition to peaceful coexistence is not going to be disrupted or prevented by any amount of threats, mischief, or propaganda.
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Fake news merchants are spreading lies and untruths, but President Buhari has given resounding assurances that he will in fact pass the presidency on to the person who was just elected to that position. Those who are peddling fake news and spreading groundless conspiracy theories around the unavoidable transfer of power on democracy day are doing nothing more than beating a dead horse. Their plan is doomed to failure, and they can look forward to nothing but humiliating setbacks. Those individuals who feel wronged by the results of the general elections in 2023 have been encouraged by the country’s electoral umpire to seek legal redress. They are currently acting in this way.
It defies logic to think that they would choose to be out on the streets as well as in the courts. Give them the option to pick one. If they choose to live on the streets and resist authority, then they should be treated as dissidents and criminals. However, if they are already in the court system, justice should be done to them. During this period of time, let us all remember to be patient, respectful, and law-abiding citizens. Those people who are peddling an impossible and pointless interim government ought to take the full dose of their medication and get well as quickly as possible.
Idachaba sends greetings from Makurdi, the state capital of Benue.
