Nigeria Governors condemn police, SSS’ partisanship during elections

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has asked the nation’s institutions and security agencies to emulate the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the discharge of their responsibilities during elections in the country. In a statement on Friday to congratulate Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on his victory in the August 9 governorship election in the state, the Forum said it was important for institutions and security agencies to be professional and avoid partisanship in the discharge of their duties. It stated this against the backdrop of the arrest and detention of members of a political party before and during the Osun election. The All Progressives Congress [APC] claimed that about 150 of its members were arrested and harassed by the police and operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, on the eve of the Osun State governorship election as well as on the Election Day. There are suggestions by many Nigerians that the Nigeria police and the SSS consider themselves agents of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] during elections. continued