Regime change: Wait till next election, FG replies critics
Those advocating for a regime transition have been told by the federal government to hold off until the 2027 presidential election.
Following President Bola Tinubu's first Council of State meeting, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake made this statement to State House media on Tuesday.
According to Alake, the recent hunger protest was an attempt to impose a change of government via force, which was also opposed. The council also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for putting up a fight against an unlawful attempt to change the country's leadership.
He declared, "State matters were vigorously deliberated, and the National Security Adviser was available to apprise the Council of State of the nation's security status, as well as the circumstances leading up to, and following, the most recent protest which I do not call a protest.
"I refer to it as a forceful regime change movement that encountered resistance. The council expressed gratitude to all Nigerians for thwarting an unlawful attempt to seize power. There is always an election coming up, so if you're not happy with the government or the existing administration, you wait for it and cast your vote.
The council was briefed by the NSA on the state of security, which they exposed. After the NSA briefing, he calmed everyone's concerns by discussing the strict security measures in place across the nation and assuring everyone that no one would be able to undermine our hard-won democracy.
"Any change in governance must be enacted by ballot, not by force of arms, or through insurrection or through any other unconstitutional means. Only through the ballot box can any government be changed and reassured of the security readiness of all security agencies in the country to secure our territorial integrity and to protect Nigerian’s democracy.”
The purpose of the seven ministers' presentations, according to Alake, was to inform the Council of State on the advancements being achieved in each economic sector.
"Economic diversification is the agenda," he declared. I was there for that reason. Which is why Agric was present. For this reason, the ministries that make up the other ministers you know comprise the economic diversification and transformation plank of the Renewed Hope Agendas.
Speaking at the same time, Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Governor's Forum Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq said the council had also approved a resolution expressing confidence in President Bola Tinubu.
He revealed that following the Council of State gathering, the governors and the President had an executive session during which a further vote of confidence was passed.
The speaker expressed that the Federal Executive Council's presentation had pleased the council members, particularly those from the Nigerian Governor's Forum. Following the meeting, the president and members of the Nigerian Governor's Forum had an executive session during which candid and productive talks were held.
We're headed in the right direction, I'm happy to announce. In a similar spirit, the NGF members, like the members of the Council of State, also gave Mr. President a vote of confidence. We also pray for God to guide him and send him our best wishes.