The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has commended the Department of State Service (DSS) for inviting the Director of Special Projects and New media of the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign Council, Femi Fani-Kayode, to explain his allegations and insinuations of an attempted coup being planned by the PDP flag bearer and top generals, saying that the former minister is not working alone.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Assistant, Public Communications, Mr Phrank Shaibu, Atiku called the DSS not to leave any stone unturned in the course of the investigation..
The statement said: “We commend the DSS for the swift invitation sent out to Fani-Kayode. He must be made to explain his allegation of an attempted coup being planned by Atiku Abubakar who even during the military regime never attempted to topple the government despite having the resources.
“Fani-Kayode must also be made to reveal the identities of the so-called army generals who are plotting to overthrow the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
The Atiku spokesman, who described Fani Kayode’s attempt to withdraw his comments as an afterthought, said there is an urgent need for the DSS and Nigerian authorities to ensure that the military is not brought into partisan politics.
It added: “Nigerians suffered for nearly 30 non-consecutive years battling military dictatorship. The military has since 1999 pledged its loyalty to civilian authority and returned to the barracks. Unfortunately, Fani-Kayode and others in Tinbubu’s camp have continued to prod the military by making allegations of coups and the interim government.
“Fani-Kayode cannot be acting alone since he is the spokesman for Tinubu. Fani-Kayode and his ilk have been prodding the military for the last month, talking about how they plan to install an interim government.
“In reaction, President Buhari set up a transition committee that will midwife a smooth transition to another government on May 29.”
*Culled from Jungle Journalist newspaper
