DHQ: May 29 inauguration of Tinubu sacrosanct
Nothing will stop the swearing-in of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said yesterday.
It assured Nigerians of peace and security before, during and after the handing over of power.
The military high command said it would work with the Police and intelligence community to nip in the bud all threats to national security.
Also yesterday, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, said it was time to move the country forward.
He called on politicians, especially those dissatisfied with the electoral process, to put aside their misgivings in the country’s interests.
Director Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, conveyed the assurance of the military high command while answering questions during a briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
He 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 went and winners have been announced, the transition of power will also come and go peacefully. People are just being apprehensive and insinuating things that are not there.
“You will recall that there was a United States (US) 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 oars to ensure that peace and security are sustained in this country.”
Danmadami said the intelligence community and the Armed Forces were working round the clock to ensure there is peace.
He added: “Every day people are being arrested. People who are on the verge of committing crimes are being arrested. People who are moving weapons from one point to the other to go and commit crimes are being arrested.
“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.
“I can assure you that we are ready to address whatever security challenge that comes up.
“So, people should go about their normal duties and forget about the unnecessary apprehensions that people are causing. No cause for alarm, everything is under control.”
Gen. Abdulsalami , who spoke after the closing of the 2023 Ramadan Lecture at his Uphill residence Mosque in Minna, the Niger State capital, stressed the need for all Nigerians, especially politicians, to eschew bitterness and join hands to develop the country.
He said: “Elections have come and gone, and of course, there are always some controversies from the winners and the losers alike.
“It is my prayer that, whatever the outcome of the court cases, we will put them aside and move forward, so that together we can develop our country, and revive our economy.”
He urged losers of political cases to accept the outcome in good faith.
The former head of state advised Muslims to apply the lessons learnt during Ramadan so as to make society a better place to live in.
“I do hope that at the end of Ramadan, we will continue to imbibe what we have practised during the period. It involves a lot of almsgiving, understanding and being our neighbours’ keepers.
“I ask fellow Nigerians and Muslims all over the world to try and apply all that they practice during the month of Ramadan.
“May peace continue to reign in our country
