DSS, police must apologise for demanding postponement of Edo Election-CPPM

The CPPM, in a statement issued by its Executive Chairman, Nelson Ekujumi on Thursday said the body, like millions of Nigerians and lovers of democracy worldwide was shocked into a state of disbelief over the security advise by the police and the DSS to the INEC to postpone the Edo state gubernatorial elections which was less than 72 hours away over security threats by those, referred to as insurgents and extremists to cause mayhem in the country between September 12 and 13.

“We are indeed appalled and feel insulted as a people that these two security agencies that are constitutionally empowered to ensure security of lives and property can be so brazen to assault our collective psyche, which this advice typifies.

“We must admonish the security agencies to realize that democracy bestows responsibility on every institution of state of which the Police and the DSS are not an exemption. Thus, we must warn them not to toe the path of ignominy and infamy of the immediate past era of the pre 2015 general elections in which service chiefs in collaboration with their civilian allies committed treason by undermining democracy and the constitution through the arm twisting of INEC to postpone the general elections for six weeks for personal interest,” it stated.

CPPM said in as much as it recognised and appreciated the untiring, patriotic and commendable efforts of the nation’s security agencies in the discharge of their responsibility in this trying time of security, economic, social and political challenges, it regarded this advise as irresponsible, provocative, an indictment and an abdication of their constitutional functions.

“However, we must commend the leadership of INEC which on hearing the shocking news, immediately consulted stakeholders and sought briefing from the security agencies and have done the needful by insisting on going ahead with the elections as scheduled on Saturday September 10th, 2016. This is very commendable.

“By this action, INEC has rekindled public trust in our democracy and saved the country, the embarrassment of following in the footsteps of the bad precedent of pre-2015 general elections postponement due to “security threats” by vested interests.

“Consequently, we are demanding a public apology from the Nigeria Police and the DSS for this act of irresponsibility.

“As the people of Edo state go to the polls in the gubernatorial election in about 48 hours from now, we at CPPM, want to use this opportunity to alert Nigerians and the international community to hold the Nigeria Police and the DSS responsible for any breach of the peace in Edo state before, during and after the election for going beyond their brief,” it added.