The Department of State Services (DSS) has remained silent amid reports that it summoned Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, over comments deemed capable of heightening political tensions.
The alleged invitation, reported on Friday, concerns remarks Baba-Ahmed made during recent media appearances, where he repeatedly warned of an impending “constitutional crisis.” Baba-Ahmed, who is also the founder of Baze University, has been vocal in criticizing the conduct of the 2023 election and its aftermath.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, unnamed security sources confirmed that authorities were alarmed by some of Baba-Ahmed’s statements. One source claimed that during a recent televised interview, the Labour Party chieftain accused the judiciary and the military of facilitating the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. He was also said to have suggested that the military had been emboldened to “look you in the face and call you bloody fools” because of the swearing-in.
“The secret police is treating his comments with caution. This is not about politics but about safeguarding the corporate existence of the nation,” one of the sources reportedly said.
As of press time, the DSS has neither confirmed nor denied the alleged invitation.
Baba-Ahmed was the Vice presidential running mate to Peter Obi at the 2023 election.
