A non-governmental and nonprofit organization, IPC Justice, has decried the latest developments in the country involving the Department of State Security (DSS), especially with the recent suspension and arrest by DSS of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, News Band reports.
Reacting, IPC Justice, which prides itself as committed to restructuring Nigeria, investigating corruption in politics and judiciary, and holding government accountable, lamented that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is using state security apparat to intimidate and harass citizens.
Giving reason for its stance, it stated categorically that the use of the DSS to target political opponents, government officers and critics constitutes a blatant violation of the rights of Nigerians.
Taking to its Twitter handle, @ipcjustice, the group tweeted on Thursday:
“The utilization of @OfficialDSSNG state security agencies to intimidate and harass citizens is a concerning trend that has the potential to result in human rights abuses and undermine the rule of law.
“Department of State Services (DSS) is a law enforcement agency that should be focused on protecting the people, rather than persecuting them.
“The use of the DSS to target political opponents, government officers and critics blatantly violates the rights of Nigerian citizens.
“The suppression of dissent through the DSS would eventually affect everyone and sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to gross human rights violations and a disregard for the rule of law In Nigeria as Tinubu looks to silence everyone and consolidate power.”
On the removal of fuel subsidy and unifying the exchange rate, IPC Justice wondered what the chants are all about as Tinubu is merely fulfilling his responsibilities, noting that the affected policies were promised by all major parties and are long overdue.
It tweeted further: “Furthermore, applauding Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy and unifying the exchange rate is akin to congratulating him for fulfilling his responsibilities.
These are policies that have been promised by all major parties and are long overdue. Our expectations should be higher,” it added.
