DSS Alarm: Labour Party Kicks, Insists No One Can Intimidate Nigerians
- Accuses secret Police of double standards, blackmail
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Labour Party (LP) has urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to desist from actions and statements allegedly meant to intimidate peace-loving Nigerians and stop them from demanding justice in the court of law.
Consequently, the Party expressed confidence that no amount of what it described as ‘cheap official blackmail’ by the nation’s secret Police will scare Nigerians into abandoning their legitimate, and legal right to seek judicial redress in reclaiming their mandate freely given to the LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi but brazenly stolen in full public glare.
Responding to an alarm raised by the DSS in Abuja on Wednesday, the Labour Party’s Chief Spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said; “We are certain that Nigerians who want to take back their country will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning a legitimate course.
“As a party, we have submitted ourselves to pursuing the course of justice through constitutional means, it will not serve as the interest of democracy collapses in Nigeria. We will like to ask, where was the DSS when our members and other Nigerians were being attacked, maimed, and killed, especially in Lagos?
“Where was the DSS when MC Oluomo and his ilk were engaged in ethnic profiling and violence against Nigerians of a certain ethnic nationality over their democratic choices?
“We needed the DSS to step up its game then but it failed. If it had done what it was supposed to, our nation would have been better for it. Now that Nigerians have decided to follow laid down democratic procedures of drawing attention to injustice, warnings, and threats are now being issued.”
Berating the DSS further, Dr Tanko said; “The DSS ought to have issued these warnings from the beginning to show Nigerians that this country belongs to all of us and not the personal fiefdom of an individual or a group.
“We urge the DSS to send these words of caution to those bigots who are pushing this country to the brink of disaster with their utterances and violent conduct against other peace-loving Nigerians who do not subscribe to their political views or speak their language.”
DSS Accuses ‘Faceless’ Politicians Of Mischief
In a statement released early on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the DSS, through its image maker, Dr Peter Afunanya, had alleged that some politicians were plotting to derail democracy through demonstrations and “obtaining frivolous court injunctions” to stop the inauguration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.
Alleging that some key political players are plotting to foist an Interim Government in Nigeria ahead of the May 29 inauguration date, the DSS spokesman, said such persons were also considering sponsoring endless violent mass protests in major cities to warrant a declaration of State of emergency.
“The Service considers the plot, being pursued by these entrenched interests, as not only an aberration but a mischievous way to set aside the constitution and undermine civil rule as well as plunge the country into an avoidable crisis.
“The illegality is totally unacceptable in a democracy and to the peace-loving Nigerians. This is even more so that the machination is taking place after the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country.”
Vowing to work assiduously to support a hitch-free handover, the statement further said; “Consequently, the Service strongly warns those organising to thwart democracy in the country to retract from their devious schemes and orchestrations.”
“Stakeholders, notably judicial authorities, media, and the Civil Society are enjoined to be watchful and cautious to avoid being used as instruments to subvert peace and stability of the nation.
“While its monitoring continues, the DSS will not hesitate to take decisive and necessary legal steps against these misguided elements to frustrate their obnoxious intentions”.
