Checking excesses of State Security

Recently, the Akwa Ibom State governor’s lodge guest wing was invaded and ransacked by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) who were on a mission that they are yet to make public. The action was greatly condemned by various groups and stakeholders as well as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party governing […]

Recently, the Akwa Ibom State governor’s lodge guest wing was invaded and ransacked by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) who were on a mission that they are yet to make public.

The action was greatly condemned by various groups and stakeholders as well as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party governing the state, who termed the incident a rape of democracy and invitation to chaos and anarchy.

According to stakeholders, the action was uncalled, unnecessary and purely a duty the Nigerian Police could have undertaken.

The Akwa Ibom State’s case was not the first time such action was taken by security agents since the current administration came into office as examples of other abuses and interferences in the ongoing electoral tribunals were recorded in other states including Rivers and Taraba.

The incident according to the opposition party, the PDP, was clear evidence that the action was a calculated attempt to intimidate the governor and his government in the face of the federal might.

Others felt the action was the reintroduction of past era where the DSS, EFCC, ICPC and other state security agents used to harass, intimidate, and molest opponents.

Although some people have expressed cautious optimism over the incident, many have raised questions whether it was proper for the DSS to have been involved in the exercise rather than the police.

The question most people are asking is whether it was not a political vendetta and if the residence of a governor can be raided by security operatives considering that governors have immunity.

The DSS has come out to say that the operation was covered by law but does the law supersedes the Nigeria Constitution which conferred on governors immunity from arrest or harassment. The immunity also goes beyond the persons of the governors to include their houses and offices.

The issue of immunity which political office holders enjoy has become a controversial one with many clamouring for its removal but while it is being awaited, those it covers should be respected and the rule of law allowed to hold sway.

According to critics, if a Government House occupied by Chief Executive who enjoys the same immunity as the President as provided by the Constitution could be invaded, then the country is heading towards dictatorship.

Recently, the EFCC and the Code of Conduct Tribunal also woke up from their slumber and started inviting former governors and other political office holders in a manner that people started asking where the organisations were during the previous administrations or had it just dawned on them that it was time to work?

The renewed onslaught by the various security and anti-corruption institutions has raised a lot of questions as people are confused whether that is the price for the change that the new administration promised.

But above all, it is important that these institutions stay out of politics there should be a deliberate effort on the part of government to demonstrate clearly that it is not using these state apparatus against the opposition or Nigerians.

Nigerians have not forgotten the excesses of the DSS under the last administration where political opponents where harassed, arrested and barred from using airports or other state privileges such as state media.

The DSS has refused to make an explanation to Nigerians on the reason for their invasion of the Akwa Ibom governor’s lodge as was in the case of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.

The void created by the DSS left Nigerians to speculate especially in the social media on what their mission to the governor’s lodge was as some said it was for arms recovery while others said it was for cash recovery.

Under President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians expect a clear departure from the abuse that the security agencies were subjected to in the past. The agencies should stop allowing themselves to be use in fighting political wars and focus on their mandates as set out by the constitution.

We are in an era of change and the change must reflect in the way and manner the security agencies conduct themselves so as to allow the rule of law take precedence.