INEC BOSS: DSS Clears Air on Failed Arrest
The Department of State Services (DSS) has cleared the air regarding an online publication by the Daily Trust of January 5, 2023, with the headline “Court Stops DSS from Arresting INEC Chairman”.
The DSS spokesman, Mr. Peter Afunnaya, while reacting to the issue, in a statement, made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), said the Department has discovered that the newspaper skewed what transpired at the Court and reported it out of context
He added that It is against the backdrop that the Service pointed out its disapproval to the Editorial authorities of the Newspaper. The outfit, which though argued that what was reported in its online version was different from the hard copy, promised to address the concerns raised but did not.
According Afunnaya, the statement became imperative to guide the public understanding and perception, especially that the said report is misleading against the INEC Chairman which is not after all.
“Nonetheless, the Service is aware of the antics of some mischievous elements who are desirous of fomenting crisis in the country, including creating unnecessary controversies around the forthcoming general elections.
“One of their strategies is to subvert the efforts of the Service in ensuring peaceful coexistence and harmony”,
Peter enthused.
In his further submission, Afunnaya pointed out that it’s another calculated attempt and determination to overheat the polity and subtly exploit the judiciary to distract or even undermine not only the Service, but other security and law enforcement agencies from undertaking their constitutional roles.
The DSS spokesman while setting the record straight, warned individuals and groups to desist from their devious plans, adding that all critical stakeholders to be vigilant, and resist attempts to use them to thwart the law.
He however, assured Nigerians and the International Community of the Service’s commitment to the maintenance of law and order, including an accomplishment of a free and fair 2023 election as already pledged by Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief, the Service urges all and sundry to join in the pursuit of national stability and unity.
It could be recalled that a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, had on Wednesday, frustrated plans to scuttle the 2023 general election by removing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, over alleged failure to declare his assets.
Apart from quashing the allegations of false assets declaration against Yakubu, the court stopped security agencies from investigating him.
Meanwhile, the coalition of United Political Parties and other socio-political organisations have hailed the judgement, describing the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
The Spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere, hailed the judgment as “a major New Year gift to Nigerians by the judiciary.”
According to him, the court verdict was “a victory for a credible, free and fair election.”
He said the plans to scuttle the 2023 general election by those who know they cannot win free and fair elections have been squashed by the judiciary.
