In a statement released by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the DSS stated as much, the nation getting ready for the Saturday, November 11, 2023, governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo States.
Afunanya claims that the DSS has noticed an increase in the tendencies and patterns of inflammatory remarks made by influential individuals and leaders of non-governmental organizations both domestically and abroad.
Such remarks, he claimed, are antagonistic to concord and public peace.
It is widely held that the use of caustic remarks by some people will not only stoke political tensions but also lay the foundation for enduring resentment and rifts within the public.
Furthermore, it is detrimental to the nation when its own people denigrate or undermine her through fabrications and deceptive narratives, both domestically and internationally.
It is believed that, now that the elections and the related legal disputes are behind us, we can move forward with nation-building without animosity or bitterness.
"Against this background, careless speech has the potential to spark social unrest and instability, endangering the security of the nation and its citizens as a whole."
According to Afunanya, during the 11 November 2023 gubernatorial elections in the states of Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa, the service is urging important players and their supporters to abide by the electoral law and the rules of engagement.
He clarified that the service has extensively coordinated with INEC, sister security agencies, and pertinent NGOs to ensure that the exercises go off without a hitch in the affected states and that the goal is to prevent circumstances that could jeopardize the processes.
As a result, the Service begs all parties involved to have civil and fruitful discussions that advance understanding among all parties, regardless of their political beliefs or grievances.
As a result, it is now crucial that public discourse focus on peace and unity, which are essential for both national security and growth. This ought to be everyone's top priority and a shared obligation.
He suggested that everyone working on election-related tasks, such as the media and civil society, should refrain from doing anything that could stoke tensions and undermine law and order.