Nigerian military on standby to ensure Tinubu is sworn in as President – Spokesman

The Nigerian military says it has not seen any reasons why ‘President-elect’, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress should not be sworn in on May 29, as the next president of the country.

It warned those planning to scuttle his inauguration against doing so, saying would forestall any threat.

The Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, on Thursday, stated that it makes no sense to swear in Tinubu as the president before the conclusion of the hearing of the presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

The presidential candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, are challenging the declaration of Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential elections.

But Cardinal Onaiyekan while featuring on a Channels TV programme on Thursday, described the status of the election process as “anomalous”, insisting that he was still waiting for the court to declare the winner of the election.

However, addressing journalists in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operation, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, said the presidential election had come and gone, and a winner had been announced.

Danmadami stated, “As far as internal security is concerned, the police still remain the lead agency. The Armed Forces and other security operatives are only playing a supportive role. I’ll reiterate that we’re on standby to make sure that nothing unwanted happens.

“The issue of threat to the security and stability of the country is addressed promptly. Elections have come and gone. For the presidential election, a winner has been announced.

“There is a transition committee in place comprising all members of the security agencies, ministries and agencies of government to make sure the event is held successfully and without a glitch.

“We don’t see reasons why there should be a problem during the activity. The inauguration will come and go and nothing will happen.”

“We are not going to relent at ensuring there is peace and stability across the length and breadth of the country,” he added.