The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday distanced itself from an online publication which alleged that the service claimed the forthcoming general elections would not hold and canvassed the elongation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
According to a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, the Spokesperson of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, described such reports as fake news.
The statement read: “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to a misleading and mischievous publication by SaharaReporters titled Nigeria’s Secret Police, DSS Tests the Water on Tenure Elongation for Buhari, Tells Journalists, CSOs 2023 Elections May Not Hold.
“In the said report, the Service was accused of informing participants at its April 6th brainstorming session with CSOs/NGOs that the 2023 general elections might not hold due to insecurity.
“The report further stated that the session was a ruse to sell tenure elongation to the public.
“Consequently, the DSS disassociates itself from the publication and categorically states that the information is false and obviously fabricated to malign it and mislead the populace.
“It is curious that the session which was applauded and described as innovative by participants including credible civil society groups would be misrepresented by SaharaReporters that was neither invited to nor participated in the exercise