BREAKING: Presidential Polls: DSS Issues Warning Of Violent Protest As Tinubu, Atiku, Obi Know Fate Sept 6

Ahead of the outcome of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) judgment in the multiple petitions filed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party(LP) and the Allied Peoples Movement(APM), against the election of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Department of State Services (DSS), Monday, September 4, said it has uncovered a plot by ‘some elements’ to stage violent protests in the country.

This is coming as Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Umar Mohammed Bangari confirmed Wednesday, September 6, as judgement day for the multiple petitions against Tinubu’s election, saying that all parties to the petitions have been communicated.

Although the three petitions were consolidated by the court, proceedings were separately conducted by the tribunal, according to Daily Sun report.

The tribunal had in July reserved ruling in the petition by the Allied People’s Movement (APM) seeking the disqualification of Tinubu from the February 25 presidential election on account of alleged unlawful nomination of the vice presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

On August 2, 2023, the five-member panel, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, also reserved judgement in two separate petitions filed by the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and that of Labour Party (LP).

The trinunal said the date for judgment in the two petitions would be communicated to parties, shortly after all parties adopted their final written addresses for and against the petitions.

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The Chief Registrar who confirmed the date said everything has been put in.place to ensure hitch free delivery of the judgment in the three appeals.

Meanwhile, DSS, in a statement, said “Intelligence reports have indicated that the plotters include certain politicians who are desperately mobilising unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic based associations, youth and disgruntled groups for the planned action”.

In the statement by the Public Relations Officer Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, the DSS said “some elements” were behind the plans to stage violent protests.

It further disclosed that the plot was “in order to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters”.

“Meanwhile, the Service has identified the ring leaders of the plot as well as sustained monitoring around them in order to deter them from plunging the country into anarchy”, Afunanya declared in the statement.

The DSS urges, “In view of this development, university Vice-Chancellors and heads of tertiary Institutions are advised to discourage their students from engaging in acts capable of derailing public peace. “Also, parents and guardians are enjoined to admonish their children and wards respectively to shun the lure of participating in inimical behaviours or conducts against law and order.

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“While the DSS is aware of Government’s efforts and determination to resolve some of the challenges confronting the nation, it warns those desirous of subverting national security to retrace their steps.

“This is more so that it will not hesitate to legally come against persons and groups behind the devious plans”.