Group asks Ekiti to apologise over lawmaker’s rumoured death

Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has asked the Ekiti State government to tender an unreserved apology to the Department of State Service (DSS) for allegedly rumouring the death of a member of the state House of Assembly, Akanni Afolabi, in custody of the secret police.

The DSS, it claimed, had to publicly present Afolabi, who is being detained over alleged breaches bordering on state security, to discountenance the report.

The group, in a state by Comrade Philip Agbese at the weekend in Abuja, said the alleged smear campaign being spearheaded by Governor Ayo Fayose “marked a new low in political irresponsibility and politicians who rush to town with such unconfirmed stories are tarnishing Nigeria’s image both at home and abroad.”

NDMG noted that the rumour could have sparked widespread breakdown of law and order if the DSS had not tacitly countered what was “possibly a deliberate and calculated attempt to trigger nationwide violence.”

“In addition to the DSS, other security and intelligence agencies in the land should review events around this rumour, which was actively and knowingly spread, against earlier threats by Fayose that he can bring down the present Federal Government at will.

“While the Ekiti State governor enjoys immunity by virtue of his office, the other people that went down this path of infamy with him should be made to account for their action of maliciously trying to bring instability down on Nigeria.
“Even when Fayose cannot be arrested or tried alongside his minions, the government of Ekiti State must apologise to the DSS, Nigerians and the Federal Government for spreading falsehood targeted at diminishing our security agencies that are out to ensure every citizen is protected from blood-thirsty politicians who derive pleasure in abusing their privileges,” it added.