The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued ‘last warning’ to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and other opposition politicians to desist from making inciting and unguarded statements ahead of the 2015 general elections.
The spokesperson for the DSS, Marilyn Ogar, in a statement on Monday described the statement credited to governor Amaechi, saying soldiers have the right to protest as “selfish, irresponsible and against our collective wellbeing as a nation”.
While reiterating that no Nigerian is above the law, Ogar however, assured the people that all the security agencies were committed to ensuring free, fair and hitch free elections in 2015.
“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. 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 and retrace their steps immediately.
“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 stated.
