Udom sacks CSO, ADC * State DSS Director also redeployed

BY KENNETH JUDE

The last may not have  been heard of the  protracted controversy that has trailed the invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Government House by men of the DSS some weeks ago. While the raid has continued to ruffle feathers across the state, it has also swallowed others in its fury.  Information at our disposal has it that Governor Udom Emmanuel has sacked his Chief Security Officer and his ADC also got consumed by the governor’s rage. 

The state Director of DSS in Akwa Ibom State reports say may have also been given the boot. Although as at press time, it was not confirmed. A highly placed source in the DSS Akwa Ibom State office hinted that a lot have been happening in the service ever since the Abuja raid that created a lot of tension in the state. Our source was not categorical on whether the Akwa Ibom State DSS leader has been thrown out.

While declining further comment the service strongman maintained that in the weeks to come, a lot will be told and made known to the people. The source told SUNDAY INK that matters of the service are always treated in strict confidentiality.

A highly placed Government House  source hinted SUNDAY INK reporter that the invasion by the DSS really sent shock shivers across the state especially in government circle which, he noted got the governor angry. He explained that the way and manner the raid was carried out painted a gloomy and leaky picture of the Hilltop Mansion.  He noted that the free access to the Presidential Wing of the Government House clearly shows that the Governor is not safe. “My brother, Udom had to sack those guys. It’s clear that it’s either they knew about the coming of the DSS from Abuja and kept quiet or the connived with them discreetly to carry out the operation. No matter how one looks at the attack on the Government House, it is a slap on the faces of well meaning Akwa Ibom citizens.’’

The sacking of the Governor’s CSO and  ADC and the alleged redeployment of the Director of DSS in the state, reliable sources say was necessary in order to avoid any future reoccurrence of the sad development. For the redeployment of the DSS, it is alleged that a strong case was made by the state government to Aso Rock following the raid which prompted Abuja to immediately hearken to the Akwa Ibom State’s Government plea. This, our reporter learnt was necessary since the incident has generated tension and heated debates in the state. A reliable source who pleaded anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter noted that the DSS in the state should have been aware of the invasion and should have informed the Governor but that, according to him was not the case, an action he said infuriated Governor Udom Emmanuel. 

An impeccable Government House  source informed our reporter in confidence that a new CSO and ADC have replaced their dismissed counterparts even as a new Director of DSS is said to be considered for posting to Akwa Ibom State. This, our reporter gathered is geared towards fortifying the government house and to forestall a repeat of the ugly incident in future.

Since the DSS invaded the Akwa Ibom State Government House some weeks back, there have been accusations and counter accusations on the right and power of the DSS to invade a government house without notice or informing the state governor. Those who have spoken against the invasion argue that invading the government house of a sitting governor without his knowledge amounted to an assault on the government and good people of Akwa Ibom and desecrating the sanctity of the state’s symbol of power and democracy.  

A retired DSS Director who spoke with  SUNDAY INK reporter in Uyo noted that the invasion by the DSS was an infringement on the Governor’s immunity. He stressed that the invasion could not have been possible without the support of the president even as he hailed the redeployment of the Akwa Ibom State DSS director as a step in the right direction.

It could also be recalled that members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly had come out to condemn the invasion by the DSS. They described the action as unconstitutional and an assault on the state and all it represents. The 26-member Assembly gave the DSS a seven-day ultimatum to apologize to the government and people of the state for their unlawful action, but no word was heard from the DSS as at the time of filing this report.

When SUNDAY INK spoke with a member of the sixth Assembly, he said they will not give up on their condemnation of the DSS action and vowed that they will follow up the case to a logical conclusion. The invasion by the DSS did not go down well with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who alleged that the action has the imprints of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) claiming the party is out to forcibly takeover states controlled by the PDP. PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh accused the APC of attempting to kidnap Governor Udom Emmanuel by hiding under the cover of the DSS. He vowed that PDP will not allow the APC to intimidate them nor take states controlled by them through undemocratic means even as he cautioned the governing APC to desist from using federal might to intimidate the opposition. A high powered delegation led by Chief Olisa Metuh and other PDP top shots had visited Governor Udom Emmanuel last week in solidarity with the chief executive and the people of the state.

But the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the  All Progressives Congress has come out in support of the DSS action. The party made it known to SUNDAY INK that the invasion was in order, describing the raid as necessary in light of what they said was the hording of illegal arms and ammunition housed in the presidential wing of the government house with the intension of unleashing it on the people in the event of a likely rerun. 

The party however warned the PDP not to distract the president who they said is committed to fighting crime in full force. While the DSS invasion has continued to divide opinion in political circles, it appears more facts will emerge in the coming days over the main reason behind the DSS raid on the Akwa Ibom State Government House without the foreknowledge of the state Chief Security Officer, Udom Emmanuel.