The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party.According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the summon stems from Baba-Ahmed’s alleged remarks perceived as inciting against the Nigerian state.The expert, citing sources, noted growing concerns over Baba-Ahmed’s recent public statements on various media platforms, particularly those referring to a so-called “constitutional crisis.”
One source said, “A few days ago, Baba-Ahmed was on national television blaming the judiciary and the military for allowing the swearing-in of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. He even went as far as inciting the military, claiming it was President Tinubu’s swearing-in that allowed them to ‘look you in the face and call you bloody fools.’”
The source added that Baba-Ahmed’s comments carried undertones capable of heightening national tension, particularly given the sensitivity of Nigeria’s current political climate. “It is also disturbing considering how similar narratives have contributed to instability in countries like Guinea-Bissau and other states,” the source said. “I believe the secret police is treating his comments with caution. It has nothing to do with politics, but the very existence of our nation could be threatened if such rhetoric is allowed to fester.”
The source explained that Baba-Ahmed’s recent interview, in which he criticised the judiciary and military for not preventing the inauguration of President Tinubu’s administration, raised significant concerns. “These sessions are not punitive; they are preventive, focused on clarifying intent, contextualizing the remarks, and preventing the emergence of narratives that could unintentionally fuel unrest,” the source added.
The DSS summon aligns with established protocols, particularly as Baba-Ahmed’s description of efforts to improve national security as a “joke” could agitate public sentiment and weaken trust in state institutions.
Source: https://thenicheng.com/
