Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Moahmmed, says the Federal government is in possession of credible intelligence report indicating a grand plan by members of the opposition to use Boko Haram members and armed bandits to creat widespread violence in several states during the 2019 elections.
Mohammed said this at a press briefing in Abuja today January 21st.
”As you are aware, Nigeria goes to the polls just 27 days from now. However, the Federal Government is in possession of credible intelligence to the effect that widespread violence being orchestrated by the opposition is threatening the 2019 general elections. You have definitely seen the massive and warm reception that President Muhammadu Buhari has been receiving across the country, compared to the thinning crowds that have been attending the opposition rallies.
Having realized that their fortunes have dwindled badly ahead of the polls,the desperate opposition is orchestrating widespread violence with a view to truncating the elections, thus triggering a constitutional crisis that could snowball into the establishment of an interim govt.
Before you accuse the government of crying wolf, let me tell you, gentlemen, that we hv credible intelligence that armed bandits and BokoHaram insurgents have been mobilized to engage in massive attacks and other acts of violence in several states including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara.
The Benue-based armed criminal group, led by Terwase AKWAZA, also known as Gana, has been commissioned to strike soft targets in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States. In Kano State, a group of notorious miscreants have been mobilized by some prominent opposition leaders to provoke massive chaos before, during and after the elections. There is also an international dimension to the evil plan. Some armed mercenaries from Niger Republic have been contracted to attack top government functionaries, including state governors, across the North-west between now and the elections.
The Federal Government is taking every possible measure to counter these evil plans by unpatriotic anarchists and ensure the success of the 2019 General Elections. The Administration’s commitment to a credible, free, fair and peaceful elections is unshaken” he said.