The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to make the Director of Special Projects and New Media of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Femi Fani-Kayode, reveal the identities of the so-called Army generals who were plotting to overthrow the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Atiku stated this while commending the DSS for inviting Fani-Kayode to explain his allegation and insinuation of an attempted coup being planned by Atiku and top Army generals.
The presidential candidate said an attempt by Fani-Kayode to withdraw his comments was an afterthought and stressed that there was an urgent need for the DSS and Nigerian security authorities to ensure that the military is not brought into partisan politics.
In a statement by his special assistant, Public Communications, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, on Monday, Atiku called on the DSS not to leave any stone unturned in the course of investigation, adding that Fani-Kayode cannot be acting alone since he is the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Atiku Asks DSS, Police To Grill Fani-Kayode Over Coup Claims
He stated, “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.”
He 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 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 one 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 of another government on May 29. Despite this, the likes of Fani-Kayode have continued to prod the military, propagating theories of coups.”
Atiku asked the DSS to also ask Fani-Kayode to explain his ties to Yoruba nation agitators, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other separatist organisations threatening the unity of Nigeria.
He stated, “Fani-Kayode has been seen in many videos prodding separatists agitators to tear the country apart. He has been instigating a tribal war in Nigeria for the last six years. This is a man that vilified northern Muslims, describing them as blood sucking demons in a bid to instigate genocide against northerners living in the south.
“This is a man who described President Muhammadu Buhari as a brain dead walking corpse. He later said an impostor had taken over as President all in a bid to incite protests and riots in the country. The DSS must thus leave no stone unturned in this investigation. It is obvious that Fani-Kayode is the one plotting the collapse of the 4th Republic.”
