The Department of State Services (DSS) has advised politicians against spreading “hate speech” and “false narratives” to incite violence or divide citizens against the administrations of President Muhammadu Buhari and President-elect Bola Tinubu.
Peter Afunanya, spokesman for the DSS, stated in a statement released on Saturday that politicians promoting the collapse of law and order will be consumed by violence.
The warning was issued after the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Festus Keyamo, requested that the DSS invite the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running partner, Datti Baba-Ahmed, for rejecting Tinubu as President-Elect.
Afunanya notified the public of plans to violently disrupt the country’s peace and admonished individuals “desirous of causing a breakdown of law and order” to refrain.
“It is apparent that some offended politicians are already using this judicial process to their advantage. This is undeniably the beauty of democracy. There is a strong belief that this strategy increases peace and security. Everyone ought to cherish it.
“But, the DSS will not tolerate individuals and/or groups who take the law into their own hands and promote anarchy. Those who disseminate fake news, hate speech, and other forms of false narratives to incite violence or turn the populace against the current or incoming administrations at the federal, state, and parliamentary levels must cease immediately.
“Those who incite violence stand to gain nothing, as their actions will not only consume them but also the innocent. Nevertheless, it is unsettling to observe respected figures using their platforms to misinform or agitate citizens. This does not bode well for peaceful coexistence and general order, to say the least.
“Therefore, the Service will continue to take the necessary steps to neutralise these anti-national elements. This is to ensure that citizens and residents have a conducive environment in which to pursue their legitimate businesses. They say that a stitch in time saves nine. Let everyone be guided”