- * Describes Ayu's Comments As "Unjustified, Unfair, Speculative And Preposterous"
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CeleOkaf11
The Department of State Services (DSS) has described "unjustified, unfair, speculative and preposterous", the statement allegedly made by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, against security agencies including the DSS, saying that if elected again into power in 2023, the PDP will not use the nation's Security agencies including the DSS to harass the Nigerian electorates.
Ayu allegedly made this promise on February 23rd, 2022, in Owerri, Imo State capital, while speaking at an event.
The State Security Service in a statement by its spokesman, Dr Peter Afunnanya, said "Though the Service restrains itself from joining issues particularly with politicians, it wishes to state its disapproval of such statement which is considered unjustified, unfair, speculative and preposterous.
"Except to malign and incite the people against it, the Service questions the rationale behind such an unprovoked description of it by Chief Ayu who had variously benefited from it and indeed the State. Having served variously as Senate President, Minister of Education, Industry, Internal Affairs and Environment, with full complements of Security details, he knows the Service is never used to harass the people.
"And if he ever used the details for negative purposes (unknown to the Service), he should know that the times have changed. Dr Ayu knows that the Service is a frontline guardian of democracy and respects the rule of law in Nigeria. It is committed to the protection of the people.
"For the avoidance of doubt, it does not shield its personnel who offend its rules and in fact, laws of the land, from disciplinary action, thus the untruthfulness of his statement. The DSS has undoubtedly made profound sacrifices for the existence and unity of the country and will continue to, despite deliberate attacks on it.
"While members of the public are urged to disregard Dr Ayu’s statement, politicians are enjoined to desist from making unguarded utterances with tendencies to breach public order. Overall, the Service prefers that it is left out of any political fray as it is committed to maintaining usual neutrality and transparency in the discharge of its mandate", Dr Afunnanya stated. NNL.
