The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives has raised the alarm over what it described as unwholesome activities of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) involving harassment of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who conducted the 2015 general elections in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States.
The Rivers State caucus in the National Assembly has therefore petitioned the DSS over the alleged invitation of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mrs. Gesila Khan, and other officials of the electoral body.
This is as the caucus called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to quickly put its house in order on the ongoing turmoil over the distribution of principal officers so that members can resume and stop the unnecessary delay of legislation. The caucus vowed to resist any attempt to further push the House resumption date from July 28, 2015.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the former Deputy House Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, said the recent activities of the DSS are suggestive of vendetta against officials of the previous administration with the siege laid on the residence of former National Security Adviser, (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and the detention of the Chief Security Officer to then President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Gordon Obua.
Noting that the Act establishing the DSS puts its responsibility as bordering purely on internal security and private security for government functionaries, Ogor raised queries as to why the agency is suddenly involved in electoral matters when the Electoral Act clearly stipulates that all issues must be handled by the tribunal.
“I believe the DSS should wake up to their responsibilities, concentrate purely on their internal security and leave politics aside. If they are interested in coming to play politics then they have to resign and come in and contest for political offices,” Ogor added.
Speaking on the resumption date, Ogor, who was flanked by several PDP members, said members of the House were elected by Nigerians to legislate on important issues which need urgent attention.
Meanwhile, the petition by the Rivers State caucus which was signed by 16 lawmakers, alleged that the DSS plans to witch hunt, coerce and intimidate electoral and judicial officers connected with the 2015 general election.
“We are appalled by your present clandestine and surreptitious moves aimed at derailing an efficient, transparent and unbiased justice delivery system, hinging same on a pre-arranged petition from persons who are interested in the outcome of the election petition in the states, particularly Rivers State,” it read.
