No other event perhaps dramatizes the desperation of the government, than the dog-ate-my-homework presentation by the Department of State Services (DSS) as it disclosed its findings from last November’s invasion of the Lagos office of the APC. Alleging that the APC planned voter card cloning as well as a hack into the INEC voter registration database to manipulate records, and inflate its membership, the baseless allegations were yet another glaring antic of the government to intimidate the opposition, ostensibly to gain political mileage in the upcoming elections. As it were, the scathing allegations made by DSS Deputy Director (Public Relations), Marilyn Ogar, did little to lift its image or to absolve it of accusations of overzealousness and bias. It is just as well, that INEC has come out to distance itself from the report, saying it has mechanisms in place, including the deployment of card readers, to identify genuine PVCs. The APC, in a swift reaction dismissed the report as hogwash and distraction orchestrated in collusion with the ruling PDP. Ogar’s presentation amounts to a travesty which lowers the image of Nigeria before the international community.
At a media briefing in Abuja, Ogar, said after preliminary investigations, the DSS “suspects there was an elaborate and well-articulated plan to inflate the party’s membership data as well as hack into INEC voter registration database.” Ogar said the raid on the APC’s office was carried out after a tip off that some cloning activities were going on in a building located at No. 10, Bola Ajibola Street, Ikeja, Lagos, without a signpost, banner or flag to indicate that it was a party office. She said a permit was obtained for the operation during which the DSS officials found some items, which suggested that there was a well-hatched plan to hack into the electoral body’s database and corrupt it “and replace it with their own data.” The DSS said that from its findings, the APC plans to scythe the system in a way that would enable them to manipulate even media reports in a predetermined direction.
Ogar did not hide the fact that the intention of the DSS was to indict the APC when the agency usurped the role of INEC, with such reckless display of partisanship, and resort to arm-twisting tactics. But turning logic on its head will not vitiate the gravity of the indefensible illegal action, because the flimsy evidence and the contradictions presented by Ogar are simply mind-boggling; and stand condemned in all ramifications in much the same manner as the act of brigandage itself. The invasion of the APC office was barbaric and pushed the country towards anarchy. Indeed, more non-altruistic motives can be inferred from the brazen lawlessness that was clearly unprecedented and constituted a rude assault on the country’s democracy.
While displaying pictures of underaged Nigerians allegedly registered as members of the APC, Ogar further alleged that foreigners and security operatives were registered members of the APC thereby putting a question mark on the party’s understanding of the legitimate provision that all security personnel in the country must not be or be seen to be partisan. Insisting that APC has plans to infiltrate the INEC database “through the creation of party membership forms and cards to match INEC’s voters’ register across the country,” Ogar reiterated that the opinion expressed by some people “on the action of the service” cannot conceal the sacrosanct of truth. It stretches credulity to believe Ogar’s rambling, nonsensical explanations but such brigandage should never be allowed to repeat itself.
Coming only weeks before crucial national elections, the agency’s action certainly needed to be justified, but such justification cannot be in phantom evidence presented by Ogar, which impeached the process by which the agency arrived at their own conclusions. The evidence is not only unconvincing, it is indeed lamentable and pathetic. Was the DSS rehearsing a script intended to muzzle political opponents? Is this the shape of things to come before the impending 2015 elections? Although the DSS insists it secured an order to raid the APC office, there is no indication that it duly obtained a search warrant before its invasion; nor was the leadership of the APC notified. The situation could have been handled professionally without portraying the DSS as a Gestapo organization. The DSS must guard against repeating such lawless action, and acting in a manner suggesting a disdain for due process and the rule of law. Such barefaced violation of the right to privacy and dignity of persons in dealing with suspected infractions cannot be in the best interest of democracy.
The allegations of voter card cloning and hacking, including the ridiculous claim of “hacking into the systems of media houses, with the aim of broadcasting fake stories or headlines” is laughable and should attract no further comment. It points to a simplistic understanding of the electoral process by the DSS and holds the agency up to public ridicule. It also indicates that the DSS has not fully grasped its role in the electoral process; and that seems to be its major challenge, making it difficult to erase public perception that it is scheming to favor the ruling party. No politician or political party must gain any mileage over the other at the starting block. Nigeria’s political destiny hangs on fair competition among contenders and impartiality of stakeholders.
Creating a level playing field for all political parties in any electoral process is vital in the sustenance of democracy. Although the DSS, along with other security agencies, have a crucial role of securing institutions like INEC, it also has a duty to ensure an enduring political system. Therefore, it should maintain neutrality in the processes leading to the emergence of elected public officials on approved platforms. A reading of the situation, to be sure, is worrying, as it raises questions regarding violations of constitutional liberty, to which the DSS must answer, as it has responsibility to be accountable to the Nigerian people. The electorate can surely do without security agencies waging war against the country under any guise. But how independent are the country’s security agencies including the DSS?
After 15 years of experimenting with democracy in this Fourth Republic, stakeholders ought to have imbibed attributes to make democracy run its course with a view to strengthening it. The DSS, therefore, should learn to uphold the value of neutrality expected of any responsible organisation dealing with politicians whose mandates are transient. The agency should not be impervious to criticisms, that it has become a tool in the hands of power mongers. The DSS must strive to shore up its reputation and improve its image management. Playing into the hands of politicians is a sure way to ruination. It cannot afford to be seen as operating as an uncircumcised appendage of the ruling party. That will be a great disservice to the Nigerian people, and dangerous for the country.
