The alleged meddlesomeness of security agencies in the country, on electoral issues, has come under severe criticism by different segments of the citizenry. A group , Coalition of Concerned Nigerians for Good Governance, which mounted a public protest against the matter on Monday, decried the interference of the Director General of State Security Service. Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura, in the on going Election petition Tribunal in Rivers and Akwa Ibom sates ,describing such meddling and harassment as unhealthy for democracy.
Speaking to journalists at the entrance of the National Assembly during the protest yesterday , leader of the group ,Comrade Prince Aforke Okporua, said the group would mobilise its members across the states to demand for the removal of the DG SSS if he refuses to hands off.
He said that the alleged interference by the DG, is an attempt to stifle the opposition which according to him was unacceptable. noting that the SSS should rather pre occupy itself with the task of ensuring internal security and not involving itself in Electoral matters.
The group condemned the continued alleged harassment and intimidation of the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner , insisting that the Department of State. Security has no business in electoral petition matters.
What we are here today to say and to do , is to primarily condemn something that has to do with the involvement of the Department of State Security[DSS], in election matters. A situation where the DSS that supposed to be saddled with the responsibility of ensuring internal and external security, will now be getting itself involved in matters that have to do with Election Tribunal ,is not necessary.It is uncalled for”, Okporua said.
He added that “it is ungodly, it is against the fundamental tenets of democracy. For goodness sake, we have the Electoral Act, we have the Constitution. A matter that has to do with election, has to be left in the hands of election tribunal. the Department of State Security has no business getting involved in matters that have to do with elections.
Rivers State has a clear winner and that winner is former Minister of State for Education, Hon. Nyesom Wike, the Executive Governor of Rivers State. So the involvement of the Department of State Service in harassing, intimidating and persecuting the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Rivers State, in unnecessary, it is uncalled for, it is what I would call meddlesomeness.
Take for example the matter that transpired in Yobe State. We have a sitting Governor who was accused of giving N15million to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, through the ADC, to the Governor. Why has the DG of DSS not invited the Yobe State Resident Electoral Commissioner”
He said ” I call on the Director General. State Security Service to exercise caution in his interference in the election petition in Rivers State and Akwa Ibom States . The DG. SSS has no business harassing, the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner , I challenge him to investigate the yobe state Resident Electoral commissioner who was alleged to have collected 15 Million from the governor through his ADC with a bank teller which has been admitted as evidence in the tribunal . It is an attempt to derail democracy and subvert the will of the people”
Meanwhile , another Group, Coalition for New Nigeria ( CNN) in a press statement signed by its national coordinator , Prince Arthur Igwe and national secretary , Mr Stanley Okorie described the call for the removal of the Director General of State Security Service Alhaji Lawal Daura by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) , Chief. Olisa Metuh as uncalled for and unfounded.
It warned Oliseh Metug to dessist from such unwarranted attack on the DG of SSS.
The group advised Metuh and the PDP to engage in constructive criticism and virile opposition rather than engaging in such non issues that will not move the country. Forward.
“The PDP should work together with the Buhari. Administration in his anti graft. Fight to recover stolen wealth and stop crying foul. Metu should clear himself of alleged embezzlement of over 460 Million Nairia campaign allocated to his office in the last election”
It further called on Nigerians to key into President. Buhari’s change matrix as such would move the country to the next level.
