DSS Issues Last Warning to Amaechi, Other Politicians

The Department of State Service has warned the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and other politicians against inciting and unguarded statements ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The deputy director of public relations, Marilyn Ogar, in a statement made available yesterday, noted particularly the statement of Governor Amaechi calling on men of the armed forces to rise up in protest against constituted authority, with the intent to undermine the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Amaechi, who is the Director-General, All Progressives Congress’ Presidential Campaign Organisation, had said, “The challenge of the Nigerian military is not funding but corruption. Now they want to kill some 50 officers for their own failure to equip them properly to fight terrorism. The soldiers have the right to protest the Federal Government’s failure to fully equip them.”

But the DSS, in a statement by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, on Monday in Abuja, said the governor’s statement was meant to achieve a selfish desire against the collective well-being of the nation.

Ogar, who pointed out that similar unguarded provocative statements by politicians in the past had encouraged violence that resulted in loss of innocent lives and properties, affirmed that nobody is above the laws of the land.

She said, “Political office holders must not hide under the privileges of their offices to perpetrate and encourage the commission of acts inimical to the general interest of this nation, as this will henceforth not be tolerated. This statement, therefore, serves as the last warning to all those seeking to truncate the nation’s democracy by their careless and obviously mischievous utterances and actions to desist immediately”.

“The attention of the Department of State Services has been drawn to inciting and unguarded statements and utterances by some politicians ahead of the 2015 general elections. Of particular interest is the statement of a serving governor calling on men of the armed forces to rise up in protest against constituted authority, with the intent to undermine the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

“Their actions which are intended to achieve their desires are irresponsible, selfish and against our collective wellbeing as a nation. It is noteworthy that similar unguarded provocative statements by politicians in the past had encouraged violence that resulted in loss of innocent lives and property.

“It is pertinent to note that no Nigerian is above the laws of this land. This Service and indeed all security agencies will not rest on their oars and are committed to the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria,” Ogar said.