NAN – The Department of State Service (DSS) has alleged that it was offered N14 million by an unnamed political party to influence the Osun State gubernatorial election last Saturday.
At a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Deputy Director Public Affair of DSS, Marilyn Ogar, said the organisation was offered the amount by a “certain political party”, adding that the bribe was turned down.
Ogar, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) called on political party leaders to leave DSS out of politics, saying, “I’m saying, a director in charge of election duties was offered N4 million for himself and N10 million for the hooded men.
“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 All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election; its loss could have been blamed on the DSS,” Ogar added.
She stressed that the DSS was made up of professionals who cannot be compromised, because they are well paid.
“Our men in operations for elections are paid well and upfront, so there will be no reason for them to take bribes,” she said.
Ogar explained the importance of security agents at elections, stating that operatives had helped in various past elections across the country.
“The presence of security agents in Osun State helped prevent attacks on some chiefs in the state. The Oba of Ede is one example who was shielded from attacks by hoodlums,” she said.
