Ahead Of Governorship Elections, DSS Cautions Political Players To Play By Rule
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
Ahead of the forthcoming governorship and House of Assembly elections, the Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted the public of orchestrated plans by some persons to cause total breakdown of law and order in the country shortly after the elections.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Department of State Services National Headquarters, Abuja, Dr. Peter Afunanya, drew attention to the unnecessary palpable political tension in parts of the country prior to the elections.
The statement noted the Service observed that some of the players are at daggers drawn with one another and that this holds dire consequences for national peace and stability.
The Service, therefore, warned politicians and their supporters to engage constructively and advised the public to shun fake news, hate speech and other utterances that may be inimical to peaceful co-existence.
The statement warned that Election should not be seen as a do or die affair as there is no basis for anyone to take laws into their hands even more so that aggrieved persons can take advantage of the courts to seek redress.
It encouraged the citizenry to have faith in the institutions especially as over this election period, the Service has remained committed to providing conducive environment for a peaceful exercise and as such, had separately and in collaboration with sister agencies, carried out mop up operations to thwart nefarious plans and activities of undesirable elements to outrightly undermine the electoral processes
The statement stressed that in order to ensure a hitch-free gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, the Service had partnered relevant stakeholders to see that the required peace is maintained before, during and after the exercises and for this, the Service will work to make sure that no person or group, no matter how highly placed, disrupts the scheduled elections in any part of the Federation.
It enjoined all to abide by the rules of engagement particularly the Electoral Act and extant guidelines as it is committed to the safety and security of citizens who may wish to go out to exercise their civic responsibility.
