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DSS Under Ajayi: Institutional Restraint That Should Earn Applause, By Sufuyan Ojeifo
DSS Under Ajayi: Institutional Restraint That Should Earn Applause, By Sufuyan Ojeifo
By: Zagazola Makama
The decision by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, to approach the Federal High Court over the possibility of suspending the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, until after the 2027 presidential election is one that deserves careful consideration—and, indeed, applause.
At a time when actions involving opposition figures are easily viewed through partisan lenses, Ajayi has demonstrated something often missing in public administration: institutional restraint. More importantly, he has placed a politically sensitive question before the court rather than attempting to resolve it through administrative discretion alone.
The request to pause the proceedings should not be mistaken for weakness, political favouritism or an attempt to place anyone above the law. On the contrary, it reflects an understanding that the rule of law also requires fairness, proportionality and respect for the democratic process.
The DSS is not asking the court to terminate the case. Nor is it asking the court to determine Sowore’s innocence or guilt. It is asking the court to consider whether continuing the prosecution during an election period could unnecessarily complicate the democratic process. That distinction is fundamental.
Sowore, like every other Nigerian, remains subject to the law. A presidential candidacy does not confer immunity from criminal prosecution, just as an allegation does not amount to a conviction. If the court approves a postponement, the allegations do not disappear. The prosecution can resume after the election, allowing the legal process to proceed without creating avoidable controversy around a presidential candidate at a particularly sensitive political moment.
This distinction matters because the credibility of the proposal rests on the fact that it neither extinguishes the case nor predetermines its outcome. It merely asks the judiciary to consider whether timing, in the peculiar circumstances of an electoral contest, warrants a temporary adjustment to the proceedings.
This is precisely where Ajayi’s approach deserves commendation.
Security agencies wield enormous powers, and the manner in which those powers are exercised matters greatly. An institution that knows when to act firmly and when to exercise restraint demonstrates confidence in its own professionalism. The exercise of power is ultimately judged not only by what an institution can do, but by whether it knows the limits of what it should do.
The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (FDA), in commending the DSS leadership, described the decision as consistent with democratic principles, due process, the rule of law and the integrity of elections. That assessment deserves attention.
Nigeria’s democracy does not only depend on elections taking place; it also depends on citizens believing that institutions are not being used to influence electoral outcomes. That confidence can be fragile, particularly when a candidate challenging the political establishment is simultaneously facing prosecution by a security agency. Even where the prosecution is entirely lawful, its timing can become a subject of political contestation.
By placing the matter before the Federal High Court, Ajayi has allowed the judiciary to determine the appropriate course of action. That is a significant point. Rather than unilaterally making a politically sensitive decision, the DSS is seeking judicial guidance. The court remains free to accept, reject or modify the request on the basis of the law and the facts before it. That is how institutional restraint should work in a constitutional democracy. Such an approach reinforces institutional accountability.
Ajayi’s record, as highlighted by the FDA, also provides useful context. Since assuming office in August 2024, he has been credited with efforts to strengthen due process within the service, including the release of persons allegedly detained in error and compensation for affected individuals.
At the same time, the DSS under his leadership has continued to perform its core national-security responsibilities, including operations against terrorism and insurgency and the arrest and prosecution of high-profile suspects.
These two dimensions should not be presented as mutually exclusive. A security service does not become less effective because it respects due process. If anything, a professional security institution should be capable of combining operational effectiveness with a disciplined regard for the law.
This combination of firmness on security and restraint where democratic sensitivities are involved is precisely what Nigerians should expect from a modern security institution.
There is sometimes a mistaken assumption that a strong security agency must always be seen taking the toughest possible position. But strength is not measured solely by arrests, prosecutions or enforcement actions. Sometimes, the greater demonstration of institutional strength is knowing when restraint serves the national interest better. That appears to be the thinking behind the Ajayi initiative.
There is, however, an important caveat. Institutional restraint should not become selective restraint. The credibility of this approach will ultimately depend on whether the same principle can be applied impartially, regardless of the identity, popularity or political affiliation of the person involved.
The 2027 elections will be an important test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Political parties will compete vigorously, candidates will make competing claims and public institutions will inevitably come under scrutiny.
In such an environment, every effort to reduce unnecessary institutional tension should be welcomed, provided it remains firmly anchored in law. The judiciary, rather than the DSS or any political actor, must have the final say on whether the proposed postponement is legally and procedurally justified.
The proposed pause in Sowore’s prosecution can therefore be viewed as an attempt to protect the credibility of the electoral process without compromising the justice system.
It is also important to stress that the decision does not create a special legal status for Sowore. It establishes no permanent immunity and does not erase the case. It simply creates the possibility of allowing the election to take place without an ongoing prosecution becoming an additional source of political controversy. That is a reasonable position question for the DSS to place before the court. Whether it is the right remedy is properly a matter for the court to decide.
Indeed, the principle should be bigger than any individual or political party. If Nigeria is serious about building institutions that command public confidence, security agencies must be prepared to demonstrate impartiality, professionalism and respect for judicial authority regardless of the political identity of the person involved. Ajayi’s approach offers an example of how this can be done.
It is worth stressing this because the real value of the episode should not be reduced to whether one candidate benefits from a postponement. The more consequential question is whether Nigeria’s institutions are learning to manage politically sensitive cases in ways that protect both the integrity of the law and public confidence in the democratic process.
The DSS must remain tough against terrorism, violent extremism, threats to national security and other criminal activities. But that firmness must coexist with respect for constitutional rights and democratic institutions. That balance is not a contradiction. It is the hallmark of responsible security leadership.
For that reason, the FDA’s commendation of Ajayi is understandable. His decision to seek judicial consideration rather than simply allowing a politically sensitive prosecution to become another flashpoint demonstrates an appreciation of the bigger picture.
It also sends an important institutional message: that the DSS recognises that its authority is exercised within a constitutional order, not above it.
In the end, democracy is strengthened not only by the enforcement of laws but also by the responsible exercise of institutional power.
The DSS under Ajayi appears to be demonstrating that restraint can be a sign of strength, not weakness. And for that If that restraint is consistently applied, transparently justified and firmly anchored in law, the DSS leadership deserves applause.
● Sufuyan Ojeifo, MNGE, MGOCOP, MNIPR, is a journalist and public affairs analyst.
DSS Under Ajayi: Institutional Restraint That Should Earn Applause, By Sufuyan Ojeifo
2027: TAF-Africa urges INEC, security agencies to ensure inclusive voting
By Elizabeth Ogunjobi
TAF-Africa has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure accessible and safe voting for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in 2027.
Dr Andrew Adaji, Programme Manager of The All-Rights Foundation, made the call in Gombe on Wednesday during a community outreach for PwDs.
Adaji said the agencies must ensure that all eligible voters exercised their constitutional rights without discrimination or unnecessary difficulties.
He said PwDs deserved adequate support to participate in electoral processes, given their population and potential contributions to national development.
He estimated that PwDs constituted about 35 million Nigerians, representing 18 per cent of the country’s population.
Adaji urged INEC to promote priority voting and ensure its officials understood provisions designed to facilitate voting for PwDs.
He also criticised the commission’s alleged neglect of Form EC40H, which documents the participation of voters with disabilities.
“Based on our experience during the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti, Anambra and Osun states, most ad-hoc staff were not even aware that the form existed,” he said.
He said observers had to draw polling officials’ attention to the form during the elections.
Adaji urged INEC to incorporate training on Form EC40H into its preparation of ad-hoc staff.
He said this would enable officials to understand its purpose and properly document PwDs participating in elections.
He also called for assistive devices, including magnifying glasses and Braille ballot guides, for voters with visual impairments.
Adaji urged INEC to make polling units physically accessible, stressing that PwDs should exercise their rights independently and with dignity.
“We should not have to carry them into polling units. Instead, the facilities should be designed to accommodate them,” he said.
He expressed optimism that improved accessibility would encourage more PwDs to participate in elections.
Adaji also urged security agencies to prioritise the protection of PwDs during security threats and emergencies.
He encouraged PwDs in Gombe to exercise their voting rights under the priority voting provisions of the law.
He said the provisions included special queues for PwDs, pregnant women and older persons.
Adaji urged Nigerians to support the participation of PwDs in the electoral process.
Alheri Nuhu, Women Leader of the Deaf Association in Gombe State, commended The All-Rights Foundation for organising the outreach.
Nuhu said PwDs had been denied adequate attention during previous elections, despite their constitutional rights.
She lamented discrimination by INEC officials and other voters, saying communication barriers often left deaf voters disenfranchised.
She urged INEC to engage sign language interpreters among its ad-hoc staff to facilitate communication during elections.
Similarly, Malam Sani Abubakar, Chairman of the Lepers Association in Gombe State, called for inclusive voting arrangements.
He said leprosy had affected some members’ thumbs, making thumbprinting difficult despite their faces being captured during previous elections.
Abubakar urged INEC to introduce alternative voting arrangements for affected voters to prevent their disenfranchisement.
NAN reports that The All-Rights Foundation is conducting the outreach in six Gombe communities, targeting 305 PwDs.
2027: TAF-Africa urges INEC, security agencies to ensure inclusive voting
Borno 2027: The General’s Charge and How Zulum Unleashes Borno’s Heavyweight Political Squad
By Abubakar M. Kareto
In Nigerian politics, elections are rarely won on auditorium stages; they are decided in the quiet corridors of rural wards and the long queues of remote polling units.
The formal inauguration of the Borno State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council at the Government House followed by a massive, open-air campaign flag-off at the Sports Centre in Maiduguri represents a calculated departure from routine rally-making toward micro-targeted grassroots mobilization.
By commanding party stalwarts to abandon executive comfort and embed themselves directly within their local communities, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is deploying a bottom-up doctrine aimed at locking down political legitimacy where it matters most.
At the heart of this strategy is the critical task of maintaining party cohesion after intense internal primaries. Zulum’s explicit instruction for victorious candidates to reach out and heal rifts with aggrieved aspirants reflects a realistic understanding of political arithmetic: internal resentment erodes turnout faster than any opposition campaign. By coupling reconciliation with firm warnings against subversion, the leadership is attempting to forge an unbreakable front out of potentially volatile factions.
The sheer scale of political unity displayed in Maiduguri underscores the formidable nature of this campaign structure. Bringing together political titans including former Governors Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, alongside APC Deputy National Chairman Ali Bukar Dalori and the state’s complete senatorial delegation demonstrates an unprecedented level of internal alignment.
This public display of solidarity among historical heavyweights signals organizational stability, minimizing space for opposition inroads while keeping rank-and-file members firmly aligned.
Beyond local dynamics, Borno State occupies a unique position on the national political chessboard as the home state of Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima. In this high-stakes arena, sheer victory is insufficient; the turnout margin itself serves as a barometer of political influence.
Delivering a massive vote tally is therefore both a local objective and a strategic demonstration of national strength, cementing the state’s leverage within the governing alliance.
To turn political influence into actual votes, the campaign relies heavily on record-based persuasion and visible governance dividends. By grounding the campaign pitch in key developmental gains achieved despite severe security challenges and highlighting major federal institutions acquired in Gwoza, Bama, and Azare canvassers are equipped with a tangible policy narrative. Framing voter turnout for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, gubernatorial candidate Engr. Mustapha Gubio, and all legislative candidates as a direct return on investment gives party workers a clear, evidence-backed story for every doorstep across the state’s 27 local government areas.
A vital strength of this expanded outreach is the deliberate inclusion of women and youth as core engines of voter mobilization. The strong presence of the women’s delegation led by Borno First Lady Dr. Falmata Babagana Umara Zulum alongside the wife of the Deputy Governor and the wives of party candidates highlights an organized effort to engage families and community networks directly. Demanding structured participation across all demographics ensures that campaign directives actively translate into voter registration and turnout.
Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur’s commitment to an issue-based, unit-by-unit campaign outlines the operational mechanics needed to execute this vision. Requiring regular field reports creates a system of measurable accountability across every precinct. In a vast state with complex logistics, such systematic tracking ensures that high-level strategy is actively carried out at every single polling station.
Lastly, the Maiduguri launch demonstrates how strategic discipline, elite reconciliation, and precinct-level focus converge to shape electoral outcomes. In an increasingly competitive political landscape, the Borno APC has laid out a clear blueprint: harness the full weight of a unified leadership squad, but win the election one polling unit at a time.
About the Author
Abubakar M. Kareto is a Public Affairs Analyst and Communications Strategist focusing on governance, policies, economy, and institutional reforms across Nigeria and Africa. He can be reached on X @amkareto and via email at amkareto@gmail.com.
Borno 2027: The General’s Charge and How Zulum Unleashes Borno’s Heavyweight Political Squad
News
Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned
Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded major breakthroughs in ongoing offensive operations against armed criminal networks in Plateau State, neutralising two notorious terrorist leaders, critically wounding another and recovering six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.
The latest developments followed sustained military offensives at Dajin Madam in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State on November 8, 2026.
Security sources disclosed that HUMINT reports received at about 8:53 a.m. on November 9 indicated that the intensity of the military operation had resulted in the neutralisation of two suspected terrorist leaders identified as Haruna Balatoni and Black.
Another notorious figure, identified as Dogo Mai Kunkuru, was reportedly shot in the chest and left in a critical condition, with sources indicating that his chances of survival were slim.
In a significant development on November 10, the sustained military pressure reportedly compelled the terrorist network, through an intermediary identified as Ali-Kwara, to return six AK-47 rifles previously seized from security forces.
The recovered weapons are currently in military custody.
In a related operation, troops of 173 Battalion deployed at Mansur rescued a kidnapped mother and her daughter and recovered 39 cattle.
The developments represent a significant disruption of the criminal network’s leadership, weapons stockpile and capacity to sustain operations in the Wase axis.
The recovery of the six rifles is particularly important as it restores weapons previously lost to the criminal network and provides an opportunity for further intelligence exploitation.
The latest successes underscore the impact of sustained offensive pressure, intelligence-driven operations and military presence in dismantling armed groups operating across Plateau State.
The reported deaths of the terrorist leaders and the condition of Dogo Mai Kunkuru are based on preliminary HUMINT assessments and remain subject to independent military confirmation
Two Notorious Terrorist Leaders Haruna Balatoni and Black Neutralised in Plateau Military Offensive Another Fatally Wounded as Six AK-47 Rifles Returned
2027: TAF-Africa urges INEC, security agencies to ensure inclusive voting
Borno 2027: The General’s Charge and How Zulum Unleashes Borno’s Heavyweight Political Squad
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