DSS Summons Datti Baba-Ahmed Over Alleged Inciting Statements
The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed for questioning following a series of controversial remarks attributed to him in recent media interviews.
According to senior security sources, the intelligence agency views some of Baba-Ahmed’s public commentary as potentially capable of heightening political tension and contributing to national unease.
The remarks in question reportedly stem from his assessments of Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, judicial proceedings, and issues relating to the 2023 general elections. Baba-Ahmed has, in the past, openly expressed strong reservations about institutional credibility and electoral legitimacy.
It is these declarations — delivered in pointed language and broadcast widely — that have drawn the attention of security authorities.
Officials familiar with the summons say the DSS intends to speak with Baba-Ahmed to ascertain his intent and to evaluate whether his comments crossed any legal boundaries.
They stressed that the exercise is not a formal accusation of wrongdoing but rather a preventive engagement meant to forestall any unintended consequences that may arise from statements made by influential figures.
Baba-Ahmed, who served as the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has established himself as an outspoken political voice.
Having previously served as a senator and being the founder of a major educational institution, his commentary carries significant national weight.
His supporters argue that his criticisms fall within democratic freedoms and should not be misconstrued as calls for disorder, while those opposed believe that his rhetoric, particularly during tense political moments, risks provoking instability.
Public reaction has been mixed. Advocacy groups emphasising civil liberties caution that Nigeria must not drift into a pattern where political speech attracts intimidation, while others underscore the responsibility of political leaders to limit remarks that could be interpreted as inflammatory.
As of the time of this report, neither the DSS nor Baba-Ahmed has publicly disclosed details of their upcoming interaction.
It is expected that he will meet DSS investigators in Abuja, and further developments may shape the ongoing debate over political speech, public accountability, and the boundaries of dissent in Nigeria’s democratic space.
