A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Chief Victor Ogba, has advised former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to submit himself to the Department of State Services (DSS) for interrogation, following allegations that his passport was seized by security operatives.

Ogba’s reaction followed El-Rufai’s recent public claim that operatives of the DSS attempted to arrest him at an airport upon his return to Nigeria from Cairo, Egypt, an allegation that has since generated widespread debate across political and security circles.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Ogba said the former governor’s claims had raised unnecessary public tension and should instead be addressed through lawful engagement with the appropriate security agencies.

“I don’t see anything wrong in El-Rufai making himself available to the police or DSS for interrogation if he is truly clean as he claims,” Ogba said.

“He should stop dramatising the whole scenario by raising false alarms over constitutional matters. Arrest is constitutional, and no one is above the law.”

Ogba noted that El-Rufai, a former minister and two-term governor, is a seasoned public official who understands the workings of government and security institutions, stressing that such matters are better resolved quietly rather than through media statements.

The APC chieftain expressed confidence in the professionalism of the DSS, explaining that the seizure of a passport does not automatically imply guilt but may be part of routine security procedures.

According to him, Section 2 of the DSS Instrument Regulation, in compliance with the National Security Agencies Act, empowers the agency to place individuals on a watch list and temporarily seize travel documents where national security considerations arise.

“Instead of making sweeping allegations, El-Rufai should go to the DSS, ask questions and clear himself. That is the responsible thing to do,” Ogba added.

He further warned that politicising security matters could undermine public trust in national institutions and create the wrong impression both locally and internationally.

While acknowledging citizens’ right to question government actions, Ogba said such engagements must be conducted responsibly and without attempts to malign the administration of the day.

The APC chieftain reiterated that constructive criticism remains vital in a democracy but cautioned against what he described as deliberate mischievous acts capable of destabilising public confidence in government and security agencies.

He maintained that respect for due process and lawful authority remains essential for sustaining democratic governance and national stability in Nigeria.