Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has condemned in strong terms the alleged invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House, Uyo, by the special squad of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing a press conference on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Fayose regretted the way and manner the presidential wing of the Akwa Ibom Government House was ransacked in a “commando-like manner” with the occupants harassed and intimidated.
He described the claim that the security operatives were looking for bombs as unacceptable, saying any search for explosives ought to be in the Northeast, where Boko Haram is operating.
The Ekiti governor said the invasion was “regrettable, unfortunate, condemnable and unacceptable” because the DSS boss’ action has come to symbolize dictatorship which “democracy abhors”.
“By invading the Government House, the DSS operatives behaved in an authoritarian and despotic manner in a democratic era”, he stated.
Fayose, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in the Director General of the DSS, Lawal Daura, saying he is dragging Nigeria back to era of military dictatorship.
He said: “Obviously, the Thursday invasion of the Akwa Ibom Government House by men of the DSS and the arrest of the state INEC REC are part of the sinister plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to circumvent the will of the people of the South South and Southeast states controlled by the PDP, using the DSS, but it will fail ultimately.
“To say the least, invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House on Thursday as ordered by Daura, was a r*pe of democracy and invitation to chaos and anarchy. It is authoritarian, dictatorial and I condemn it strongly.
“If a Government House occupied by a Governor who enjoys the same immunity enjoyed by the President as provided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria could be invaded by a Special Squad of the DSS, it means Lawal Daura is moving this country towards dictatorship and it must be said that Daura and his DSS men will definitely have Nigerians to contend with.
“As for me, I will continue to talk because Nigeria is not a banana republic that can be ruled anyhow by anyone and Mr. Daura and those urging him on should know that this reign of brute force over constitutional democracy will fail.
“Most importantly, Lawal Daura and his desperate men should know that here in Nigeria of today, the power of the people is greater than the power of those in power and the people will always rise in defence of their government no matter how strong the aggression”.
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