Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, stormed the streets of Abuja, the federal capital, in protest against calls for an interim government after President Muhammadu Buhari’s exit on May 29.
The protesters, under the auspices of ‘The Natives’, staged what they termed as a peaceful walk, just as they cautioned opposition parties and their candidates in Nigeria to kill the thought of an interim government when a democratic government had been elected and was waiting to be sworn in.
According to the group, the spirit of June 12 was still hovering around Nigeria seeking for justice on the stolen mandate of the late Moshood Abiola, hence there must not be a repeat of such injustice.
The pro-Tinubu supporters, who marched to the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also declared support for continued stay in office of the commission’s chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.
A leader of the Natives, Smart Edwards, who led the protest, implored the international community and all Nigerians of all tribes and race to allow democracy to grow by declaring their support for the president-elect.
On the call for interim government by a protesting group recently, Edwards said, “Those calling for interim government are jokers because when Shonekan was brought in in the past the people rejected it. Africa’s base for democracy is Nigeria. We have Goodluck Jonathan who is a symbol of democracy; we had late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, he was a symbol of democracy; we have General Gowon who is also a symbol of democracy. Other Nations in Africa are learning from Nigeria.
The protesters said Nigerians from different tribes and races all voted, just like they, The Natives of Nigeria, of all tribes and of all races, even as they urged aggrieved opposition to seek redress in court.
On call for the removal of INEC chairman, Edward said, “Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is not going anywhere. This same man conducted the election where NNPP won, Labour Party won, PDP also won in some States.
