New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has protested the siege to its campaign office in Kano State, as the presidential election is two days away.
The party claimed dangerous weapons were planted in their office by criminal elements who are scared by the party’s victory in the coming election, therefore chose a criminal way as a means of blackmail.
On the matter, the state’s party chairman, Umar Doguwa, while speaking to the press, protested over the shooting of their youths by Department of State Services (DSS) along Airport Road in Nasarawa Council of Kano State.
He said: “Three days to elections, men of the DSS in Kano have laid siege to the campaign office of the NNPP. The offices of the Directors of Support Groups and that of the Director of Youth Mobilisation were cordoned off by them.
“We write to draw the attention of the Director General of DSS to call his Command in Kano to order. Going to our offices to plant weapons with the intention of framing our campaign directors can neither change the result of the election nor can it change the mind of millions of our supporters.”
The party, therefore, called on the Federal Government, National Security Adviser (NSA), Minister of Defence, DSS Director General, Inspector General of Police, European Union Election Observation Mission, British High Commission in Nigeria and United States Embassy in Nigeria for urgent action.
Sequel to the allegations made against the DSS by the NNPP, the Service has responded according saying it uncovered lethal weapons, including pump rifles, matches and clogs, inside the building during a route search.
Spokesperson of the Service, Peter Afunanya, said the operatives are guided by standard rule of engagement and would not intimidate or harass members of any political party.
“It is not out of place to conduct search in any place like we did at a building along Airport Road in Nasarawa Local Government of Kano. And items uncovered include 12 pump action guns, matches, clogs and other dangerous weapons.
“And if any political party claims ownership of that building, then, I don’t know what that means. So far, the DSS is making sure all political parties are give equal level field to carry out their lawful businesses devoid of intimidation and harassment. We are making sure peaceful atmosphere is provided for free and credible elections,” he affirmed.
