DSS interfering with election tribunals, says PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Department of States Services (DSS) of undue interference with election tribunals in Rivers and some states under its control.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Olisa Metuh, spokesman of the party, described the development as “undemocratic”, warning that it could lead to “enthronement of draconian regime”.

Metuh alleged that Lawal Daura, director-general of the DSS, is involved in discussions with members of tribunals with the intention of influencing election matters in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“PDP decries attempts to enthrone draconian regime where security forces and other apparatus of the ruling party will decide to be influencing election matters and outcome on behalf of the ruling party,” he said.

“In that regard, the national working committee has been made aware that the new director-general of DSS has even invited some people in relation to Rivers tribunal and other states in trying to discuss such matters with tribunal members.

“The PDP alerts the national and international community that this is a gross interference with democratic affairs and that it can lead to authoritarian regime.”

Metuh had earlier raised the alarm exactly three days after his party handed over to the APC after 16 years of presiding over the country.

“We are aware that there are moves by the APC to cause the doctoring of the membership of the gubernatorial elections tribunals in some PDP states, particularly Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers and Delta,” he had said in a statement.

“Nigerians and the international community would recall that we had earlier alerted of furtive moves by the APC to procure and compromise some stakeholders in the elections including INEC and security personnel to bear false witness and doctor electoral materials against the PDP at the tribunals.

“In the same vein, we had earlier alerted of a groundswell of plots by the APC to foist a one party rule in our country by attempting to destabilize the PDP, take over some of our states and legislative seats, all to ensure that there is no strong opposition when they eventually assume power.”