2023: DSS will ensure free and fair elections — Spokesman

The Department of State Services (DSS) has assured Nigerians and the international community of the its commitment in insuring free and fair 2023 election.

The DSS made the remark in a statement by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, while refuting assumptions that the service is in court with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged non-declaration of assets.

The statement said, “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to a 5th January, 2023 online publication in which it reported that ‘Court Stops DSS from Arresting INEC Chairman’.

“The Service has discovered that the newspaper skewed what transpired in the court and reported it out of context. 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.

“This statement, 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,” Afunanya stated.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Wednesday had quashed the allegations of false assets declaration against Yakubu and stopped security agencies from investigating him.