“DSS Assault, Intimidation, Coalition And Illegal Detention Of Akwa Ibom And Rivers Rec: Threat To Nigerian Democracy

We are further alarmed to address this press conference after a similar one about 3-weeks ago on the state of the nation and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) activities under the present leadership of the country.

Democracy all over the world has been adjudged as government of the people, by the people and for the people. So People choose the kind of leadership they want to govern them at any level and the victory of President Buhari has been adjudged to be the wishes of Nigeria people and no one should question God for making it so.

Also, the emergence of state Governors during the last general election has been adjudged as the wishes of the citizen’s residence in those states and we should not play God about it. Our organizations monitored elections across the states of the federation and reports have been sent to INEC on our observations in some isolated states and the Tribunal has been constituted to look into any electoral fraud.

However, it amazes us about the undemocratic actions embarked upon by the DSS that is supposed to be the promoter of democratic culture in the country as we strengthen our democracy. The actions of the DSS in the ongoing Tribunal cases involving the outcome of Governorship election in Akwa Ibom and Rivers is highly condemnable and call for caution because of the intimidation and illegal detention of Resident Electoral Commissioners of those states. If this trend is not checked and haulted immediately, we may be heading back to the Hobessian states again.

Lastly, we call on the DSS as a matter of urgency to halt any further politically motivated arrest, intimidation or coation and not to interfere in the ongoing Tribunal cases so as not to be seen as been used by enemies of democracy.

Signed for:
Comrade Tosin Adeyanju
Executive Director, Conscience Nigeria
Promoting Democracy, Rule of Law and Good Governance

www.consciencenigeria.org 08068027244.