“I am repeating my call on politicians to leave the agency out of politics”, a SSS spokeswoman said.
On Tuesday, spokesperson of the State Security Service (SSS), Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, accused “a certain political party” of offering two SSS officials a combined bribe of N14million to influence the Osun State gubernatorial election, won by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Ogar, who was speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, an SSS director was offered N4million while another was offered N10million. “A director in charge of election duties (security) was offered N4 million for himself and N10 million," she stated.
“It is because the money was declined, that is why the 'certain political party' is having a running battle with the DSS. Thank God the APC won the election; its loss could have been blamed on the DSS”.
Ogar said attempting to bribe SSS officials is a waste of time, as the service comprises professionals who are well-paid and therefore have no reason whatsoever to compromise their values. She added that DSS officers in operations for elections are paid upfront, so they have no reason to solicit or accept bribes.
She also dismissed arguments against the use of security agents during elections, saying some traditional chiefs would have been attacked during the Osun governorship election if not for the presence of security forces.
“I am repeating my call on politicians to leave the agency out of politics”, she said.