• As FG supports US visa ban on democracy saboteurs, says Buhari’ll go on May 29
From Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammad’s Bello, yesterday, said security agencies foiled repeated threats of attacks on the country’s capital, Abuja.
Speaking at the 20th edition of the PMB scorecard series (2015-2023), the minister said he receives security reports and advisories from security agencies and that they successfully prevented 10 attacks on the FCT.
“…I’m given security advisories and reports everyday…. Over 10 cases have been nipped in the bud. That’s why, anytime I see an incident abroad, I remember the advisories. If we are to be giving advisories everyday in all the countries of the world, we will tell Nigerians, don’t go to a particular country,” he said.
Meanwhile, ahead of the February 25 and March 11, 2023 elections, the Federal Government has backed the decision by the United States of America to impose a visa ban on politicians undermining the country’s democracy.
The US, in a statement by its Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, said the visa ban was not targeted at the country or the government, but specific politicians.
Government conveyed its stand through the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
“Let me be clear: whatever action is taken against anyone who undermines this democracy that has been watered by the blood of many of our patriots is right and justified,” Mohammed said.
The minister also reiterated that Buhari was not interested in a third term in office and that insecurity would not change the May 29, 2023 handover date.
“For us as a government, we are proud to say that no administration since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 has shown more fidelity to the democratic process than ours, and no president, since 1999, has been as unambiguous as President Buhari, in word and in deed, with regards to leaving office after the constitutionally-stipulated two terms.
“President Buhari has left no one in doubt of his dogged determination to ensure free, fair and credible elections, handover to a successor elected by Nigerians and then return to Daura. As recently as last Friday, when he visited the Emir of Daura, Mr. President still told the Emirate that he would return and settle down in Daura after handing over on May 29, 2023. The president has also given unprecedented support to INEC while also signing into law the Electoral Bill, 2022, that Nigerians have hailed as a reason to have confidence in the electoral process.
“You must also not forget our firm response on this same podium on January 10, 2023, to inquiries from the media over a widely-circulated report, credited to an INEC official, that the 2023 general elections face a serious threat of cancellation due to insecurity. We said and I quote, ‘’the position of the federal government remains that the 2023 elections will be held as planned. Nothing has happened to change that position.
“Finally, what we are doing here with our scorecard series is another indication of our Administration’s determination to leave office on May 29, 2023…We are, therefore, proud that we have sent unambiguous signals to our people and indeed to the
world that we will leave office come May 29, 2023. We have not been mired in any third term controversy like was witnessed under the PDP. In fact, we are creating the template on a smooth transition of power that will guide future administrations. Let those who undermine our democracy be sanctioned, and let them carry their own cross. As a government, we have no reason to worry because our hands are clean.”