IG Usman Baba Warns Dissident Groups Ahead Of Tinubu’s Inauguration

Inspector General of Police of the Nigeria Police Force, Usman Baba warned dissident groups ahead of the inauguration that if the ceremony gets disrupted, then those groups will be "identified, promptly isolated, and brought to justice."

The inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu will take place on May 29.

During a press briefing at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja on Monday, the IG warned "all political actors with subversion agenda and their collaborators, particularly, their foot soldiers who they are exposing to political radicalization and extremism to, henceforth, jettison their ongoing premeditated attempts to create tension within the national space with intention of derailing the May 29, 2023, Presidential Inauguration Ceremony," Punch reported.

The IG explained that regardless of the political affiliations, if any group is found engaging in acts of inimical towards the nation's democratic and security interests, will face the consequences.

"The inauguration ceremonies at all the national and state levels of government, are critical constitutional requirements for the sustenance of our political order as a nation," IG Baba said, TheCable reported.

He continued, "The Nigeria police is duty and legally bound to defend the nation's democratic heritage and closely police the constitutional processes."

The Inspector General assured the Nigerian citizens that they will defend the country's democracy at all costs, noting that their loyalty to "democratic and political order remains firm and unwavering."

"We shall undertake this task optimally and manifestly," he added. "Anybody that stands in the way will be identified, promptly isolated, and brought to justice."

Furthermore, the inspector general encouraged the citizens to report them if they witness any unlawful activities that create political tension in the country.

Earlier this month, Archbishop John Onaiyekan objected to Tinubu's swearing ceremony before hearing the court's judgment. Labour Party (LP)'s presidential candidate, Peter Obi has filed a petition to challenge Tinubu's victory in the presidential elections held on Feb. 25.

"There are cases in court that have not been disposed of. That is why we are in an anomalous situation," Archbishop Onaiyekan said. "We have a president-elect whose election is being challenged and the court is handling it."

He said at that time, "I think we need to review our election process, so we do have a winner who will be sworn in and whom everybody would rally around."

The petition has been marked CA/PEPC/03/2023, in which LP and Obi have joined plaintiffs while Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu, the senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Kashim Shettima and APC are 1st to 4th respondents.

In the petition, Obi mentioned that there were several irregularities including Tinubu's non-qualification for the presidential election run, claiming that Tinubu has been involved in narcotics trafficking.