Following the naira scarcity riot that took place in Sagamu on Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has called for the redeployment of the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Femi Aaron. During the riot, commercial banks’ branches and the Local Government secretariat were destroyed.
The blame game had started between the opposition party and the state government. However, on Thursday, the PDP made a fresh allegation, accusing Governor Dapo Abiodun of using DSS to harass the party's candidates in connection with the riot.
The PDP claimed that instead of accepting responsibility for the chaos, Governor Abiodun incited the public against the banks.
Adekunle Akinlade, the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Party, expressed concern over the fairness of the DSS Director. Akinlade also alleged that the DSS broke into the house of five candidates and supporters without a prior invitation or warrant.
The riot in Sagamu is one of the many examples of electoral violence that has marred the Nigerian election season. Electoral violence is usually perpetrated by political thugs hired by politicians to disrupt opposing rallies or attack their supporters.
The inability of the security operatives to arrest and prosecute the thugs hired to perpetrate violence during elections has been a significant setback to curbing the act.
The PDP's call for the redeployment of the DSS Director over the Sagamu riot shows the need for a mechanism for the proper prosecution of perpetrators of election violence.
It is crucial for the government and other stakeholders to take the necessary measures to ensure peaceful and fair elections in the country.
He said “It is sad if Gov. Dapo Abiodun now descends to using security agencies to harass PDP candidates and hurt innocent citizens.
“This is also a warning to all security agencies particularly the DSS not to allow themselves to be used for political gains. They are to protect all citizens and not to be used by any governor or politician to suppress others.
“As a party that is peace-loving, we are worried about the fairness of the Ogun State Director of the DSS, Mr Femi Aaron, fsi, in the forthcoming elections, inasmuch as we are not comfortable and confident of his neutrality, we, therefore, wish to call for the redeployment of the state Director of DSS, Mr Femi Aaron, for a free and fair election in Ogun State,” Akinlade said.
Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin denied harassing opponents with the security operatives.
“Clear conscience fears no accusations. No one with clean hands should feel harassed or intimidated. Let anyone invited, who has nothing to hide, no skeleton in their cupboard, go and clear their names. Justice, fairness, and public order are at stake. Politicising them will do neither the incumbent administration nor the opposition any good,” Somorin said.