The Department of State Services (DSS) has cautioned lawmakers and high-ranking officials against making unguarded utterances that might jeopardize efforts to expand Nigeria’s democracy.
The DSS Public Relations Officer, Dr Peter Afunanya, issued the warning in a statement in Abuja.
He stated that the warning was sent in response to a false and deceptive publication in certain portions headed “Nigeria’s Secret Police, DSS, Tests the Water on Tenure Extension for Buhari, Tells Journalists, CSOs 2023 Elections May Not Hold.”
According to Afunanya, the Service was accused in the report of warning participants at its April 6 brainstorming session with CSOs/NGOs that the 2023 general elections might not take place owing to insecurity.
According to him, the report also suggested that the session was a pretext to sell tenure extension to the public.
“The DSS disassociates itself from the publication and categorically states that the information is false and obviously fabricated to malign it and mislead the populace.
“It is curious that the session which was lauded and described as innovative by participants including credible Civil Society groups would be misrepresented,” he said.
Afunanya said the statement by the Presidency, reiterating its stance to hand over power to a new president on May 29, 2023, had vindicated the Service.
He added that the statement had countered the deliberate effort by the report to create confusion.
“While the Service, in the circumstance, aligns with the Presidency, it urges the public to disregard the report,” he added