By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief) @CelestineOkaf11
The Department of State Services (DSS) has debunked a news report claiming that the DSS went to court against the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, over alleged issue of purported planned arrest of the INEC boss by the State Security Service.
The DSS described the said report by an online version of Daily Trust Newspaper, published on Thursday January 5th, 2023, as patently "false" and "misleading".
A statement on Friday morning, January 6, 2023 by the reputation manager of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunnanya, clarified that the attention of the Service has been drawn to the said publication headlined: “Court Stops DSS from Arresting INEC Chairman”.
Dr Afunnanya explained that the DSS has discovered that the newspaper "skewed" what transpired at the Court and reported it out of context, stating that "It is against this backdrop that the Service pointed out its disapproval to the Editorial authorities of the Newspaper. The outfit, which though argued that what was reported in its online version was different from the hard copy, promised to address the concerns raised but did not."
The DSS spokesman, Dr Afunnanya, pointed out that the press statement by the Service , however, becomes "important to guide public understanding and perception, especially that the said report is misleading. It falsely left an impression that the Service went to Court against the INEC Chairman.
"Nonetheless, the Service is aware of the antics of some mischievous elements who are desirous of fomenting crisis in the country, including creating unnecessary controversies around the forthcoming general elections.
"One of their strategies is to subvert the efforts of the Service in ensuring peaceful coexistence and harmony. Another is a determination to overheat the polity and subtly exploit the judiciary to distract or even undermine not only the Service but other security and law enforcement agencies from undertaking their constitutional roles.
"The DSS, therefore, warns these individuals and groups to desist from their devious plans. It also advises all critical stakeholders to be vigilant and resist attempts to use them to thwart the law.
"While assuring Nigerians and the International Community of the Service’s commitment to the maintenance of law and order, including an accomplishment of a free and fair 2023 election as already pledged by Mr President and Commander-in-Chief, the Service urges all and sundry to join in the pursuit of national stability and unity", Dr Peter Afunnanya stated. NNL.
