2023: DSS charges personnel to be neutral, as INEC commits to credible polls
Department of State Services (DSS) has charged its personnel to be neutral in the forthcoming 2023 General Elections scheduled to kick-off next month across the country.
This is also as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reiterated its commitment towards credible elections in the country, come February and March, this year.
Speaking during a four-day workshop for State Directors of the agency and heads of relevant institutions across the country, the Director General of the DSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, charged his personnel to be neural and profession in their conduct ‘before, during and after the general elections.’
A statement by the DSS Public Relations Officer, Dr Peter Afunanya, Monday, quoted Bichi as harping on professionalism by the agency’s personnel ahead of the general polls.
The DSS boss, at the workshop also reviewed the security situation in the country and assured INEC of support, which, he said, is in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s pronouncement to the world to bequeath a free and fair election.
“The D-G DSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi used the occasions to reiterate the need for professionalism and neutrality of personnel in the discharge of the Service’s mandate before, during and after the general elections.
“Of note was that at the end of the strategic workshop, participants pledged to work in collaboration with sister agencies, INEC and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that peaceful elections are conducted across the country,” the statement read.
It would be recalled that between 18th and 21st January, 2023, the DSS at its National Headquarters, Abuja held a four-day Strategic Workshop for its State Directors of Security and Heads of Institutions.
The workshop was part of the Service’s preparedness for the general elections.
Also remarking at the strategic workshop, Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, in his keynote presentation on the preparedness of the Commission towards the election, assured the DSS of its ‘determination to deliver free, fair, and credible elections.’
INEC Chairman, represented by the commission’s Director of Legal, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, educated participants on the Electoral Act 2022 and its implications for security agencies.
