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Coup: DSS confirms invitation to Fani-Kayode

February 13, 2023

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The Department of State Services has confirmed the invitation of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Femi Fani-Kayode, over his allegation of plans by some military personnel to seize power.

Fani-Kayode had in a series of tweets on Saturday claimed some military personnel met with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, to scuttle the 2023 polls as well as plot a coup.

The military had since denied the allegations, pledging its loyalty to the constitution and the democratic system in place.

On Monday morning, Fani-Kayode, however, announced that he had been invited by the DSS, but said he would honour the invitation because he had nothing to fear.

In a short message sent to our correspondent, the spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, said Fani-Kayode arrived at the service office at 9 am on Monday.

He said, ” Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has been with the DSS since 9 am today 13/02/23. In response to the invitation extended to him by the Service.”

Meanwhile, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has commended the Department of State Services for inviting the Director of Special Projects and New media of the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign Council, Femi Fani-Kayode, to explain his allegations and insinuations of an attempted coup being planned by Atiku and top generals.

In a statement by his Special Assistant, Public Communications, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, Atiku called on the DSS not to leave any stone unturned in the course of investigation.

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.”

Shaibu, who described Fani-Kayode’s attempt to withdraw his comments as an afterthought, said there was an urgent need for the DSS and Nigerian authorities to ensure that the military is not brought into partisan politics.

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.”

On his part, the former Minister of Aviation and one of the Spokesmen, All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Femi Fani-Kayode, has confirmed that the Department of State Services,DSS has invited him for questioning.

Specifically, the APC PCC member also revealed that his invitation was not influenced by the call made by PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the DSS to invite him over alleged coup plot claims.Fani -Kayode said the invitation had been extended to him before Atiku’s call.

The former minister disclosed this in a statement emailed to Newsdiaryonline, saying: “Three days ago, on the day that I tweeted about newspaper reports alleging that Atiku was secretly meeting with Army Generals, I received a text message from someone who claimed to be a DSS officer asking me to report to them on a matter of national security.

“I dismissed the invitation because it was vague and I was not sure whether it really came from the DSS.

“In any case I had no intention of going anywhere unless I was formally invited.

“To my surprise I received a formal letter from them to report to their office without fail two days later, which was yesterday evening.

“I put a call through to them and was advised to take the matter very seriously and report to them on the stipulated day and time otherwise the worse may happen.

“I found it interesting that a call came from one of Atiku’s dogs for me to be arrested by the security agencies yesterday and had it not been for the fact that the DSS had actually sent a text to me two days earlier I may have thought that they were acting on the instructions of what can only be described as a hopeless and desperate presidential candidate, opposition party and PCC who are clutching at straws, drowning fast, seeking to silence those that give them sleepless nights, shivering in despair and staring defeat in the face in the upcoming presidential election.

“Clearly the DSS were not influenced by Atiku and were simply doing their job by inviting me on a matter that needs explanation and clarification and for a thorough interrogation .

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2027: NDC fixes October 20 for Campaign Council inauguration, Presentation of Certificates of Return

by Myke Uzendu

October 10, 2026

By Myke Uzendu, Abuja The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has fixed October 20, 2026, for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), presentation of Certificates of Return to its candidates for the 2027 general elections and a strategic dinner for candidates contesting various elective positions. The party also disclosed that its presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, respectively, would participate in consultations to determine key appointments in the campaign council. National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, announced this on Saturday at a press conference at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. He said the campaign council’s organisational structure and timetable had been ready since the end of August, but its inauguration was being delayed to allow Obi and Kwankwaso to conclude consultations and recommend nominees for strategic positions. According to him, the activities scheduled for October 20 would follow a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), where key decisions concerning preparations for the 2027 elections are expected to be considered and ratified. Cleopas said the delay did not indicate inactivity or internal division, explaining that the party was committed to establishing a properly constituted campaign structure capable of coordinating its nationwide electoral activities. He added that appointments would reflect national spread, competence, capacity and the ability of nominees to contribute meaningfully to the campaign. The NDC chairman disclosed that Obi and Kwankwaso were expected to recommend nominees for several strategic positions in the Presidential Campaign Council, including Director-General, Deputy Director-General, campaign spokesperson, Director of Social Media and Financial Controller. The candidates are also expected to nominate two additional officers who, alongside the party’s National Treasurer, will oversee the campaign council’s separate and dedicated bank account. Cleopas said the arrangement was intended to ensure that the presidential and vice-presidential candidates were actively involved in decisions affecting the organisation, financing and direction of their campaign. He maintained that the party leadership, the candidates and the National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, were united in their preparations for the 2027 elections. The chairman said the campaign council would be formally announced after the national leadership received the candidates’ nominations and recommendations. He argued that constituting the council without the active participation of the presidential candidate and his running mate would be inappropriate, given their central roles in the presidential contest. Cleopas also dismissed reports suggesting that the party was divided or struggling to organise itself ahead of the 2027 elections. He said the press conference was partly convened to address concerns raised by party members, supporters and Nigerians over the apparent delay in establishing the presidential campaign structure. The chairman maintained that the National Working Committee (NWC), NEC, National Leader and party structures at the state, local government and ward levels remained committed to the party’s candidates. He equally rejected suggestions that Dickson was working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine the NDC presidential ticket. Questioning the basis of the allegation, Cleopas said it would have been easier for Dickson to join the APC than to undertake the more demanding process of establishing and registering a political party if his objective had been to work for the ruling party. He urged journalists to exercise caution in reporting political allegations and speculation, warning that misinformation could create unnecessary distrust and mislead the electorate. ...