The Department of State Services (DSS) said it would not hesitate to clamp down on anyone who makes inflammatory comments that could jeopardise the conduct of gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states.
The spokesman for the secret police, Peter Afunanya, said the service had observed rising trends and patterns of incendiary comments by some personalities of influence and representatives of non-governmental entities within and outside the country.
According to him, the development serves the country no good if its own citizens, whether at home or abroad, de-market or subvert it through misleading and false narratives.
“It is strongly believed that a resort to acerbic pronouncements by certain persons will not only heat up the polity but set the ground for deep-seated animosities and divisions among the populace,” Afunanya said in a statement he personally signed.
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He further said, “With the elections and the attendant contentions legally over, it is expected that we should forge ahead in nation-building without rancour or acrimony.
“This is against the backdrop that reckless rhetorics have the capacity to lead to social unrest and instability, which can put the country’s well-being and the general safety of citizens at risk.
“Similarly, the Service urges key players and their supporters in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to conform to the rules of engagement and specifically the electoral law during the 11th November 2023 gubernatorial elections in the areas.
“The aim is to avert situations likely to undermine the processes. So far, the Service has substantially liaised with INEC, sister security agencies and relevant NGOs to ensure hitch-free exercises in the affected states.
“The Service, therefore, implores all stakeholders, irrespective of their political affiliations or grievances, to engage in respectful and constructive conversations that promote collective understanding.”
