The presidency has guaranteed that the upcoming general elections will be held as planned.
It dismissed allegations of a transitional government’s plots as jokes that must be stopped.
In an interview with an online news source, Kaduna Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’I claimed that a cabal surrounding President Muhammadu Buhari was plotting the failure of the general elections.
Non-state actors, according to the Governor, are those who did not choose the ruling All Progressives Congress’ presidential ticket for Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele and Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
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In what appeared to be a response to El-theory, Rufai’s the Presidency stated in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President for Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, that Buhari will not be associated with anything that undermines democracy.
It ensured that elections will be held as scheduled because Nigrians desire progress, good government, and a functioning system.
“Within a week, elections will be held, and Nigerians will vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC (and others if they so choose) based on their preference.
“Our people desire progress, good governance, and law and order, and they will not be swayed by the negative energy expended against a well-intentioned currency change.
“Finally, there is no doubt that the President has a preferred successor in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“Tinubu’s opposition to the speed and timing of the Naira swap schedule does not imply that he opposes the concept of Nigeria becoming a cashless society. Tinubu supports a cashless society because he is a man of the future.
“It must be made abundantly clear to all sceptics, speculators, and liars that the naira swap was in no way “engineered” to keep the President in office beyond May 29. Not even remotely close to the truth.
“The President eagerly anticipates transferring power to his elected successor. This will occur on May 29, 2023, as required by the Constitution.
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The presidency stated, “The days of unelected Nigerian leaders and those who overstay their welcome by unconstitutionally extending it are over.”
It added, “The talk of an interim government and a curtailment of democracy is absurd.” Those who propagate it stand to gain nothing besides the creation of panic and the incitement of public opposition to the federal government.
People who are afraid of losing their elections are introducing a new dimension of danger.
In response to the chaos caused by the cash swap policy, the administration issued a statement urging calm and reassuring the public that there is no need for panic as it works to restore normalcy.
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“Everyone is aware that the currency swap has put a great deal of pressure on the party, its elected officials, its candidates, and law enforcement agencies, but the best course of action is not to panic.
“There is indeed a problem, and nobody will deny its existence.
“Because the President is concerned about this issue, he has opened multiple channels for consultation with leaders and groups across the nation, culminating in his address to the nation on Thursday morning.
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In accordance with his speech, his clear and unequivocal directive is that the cash supply problem must be addressed immediately.
“There is no need to panic while this is being completed. We must cooperate as leaders, as a people, and as a nation. When panic strikes, individuals enter overdrive. Shouting is ineffective because no one can hear it.
“Confusing Nigerians is not the solution to the problem,” the presidency stated.
