The Department of State Services (DSS) is beefing up security for ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and 16 other presidential candidates as they prepare to move to the field for campaign ahead of the January 2027 election.
A similar security measure has been extended to all presidential running mates, including ex-governors Rotimi Amaechi who is on the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with Atiku, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who is flying the flag of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) with Obi.
All governorship candidates and their running mates are equally covered by the security arrangement, The Nation gathered last night.
National and state Assembly election candidates in flashpoints are under heavy surveillance.
The news broke on a day the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the list of all the governorship and state assembly candidates in next year’s election.
It was learnt that the DSS action followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu that water-tight protection be accorded all the 18 candidates contesting against him because he wants a free and fair election.
Apart from Tinubu who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Atiku and Obi,the other presidential candidates include Senator Sandy Onor (PDP), Omoyele Sowore (AAC), Donald Duke (PRP), Okwori Adam Elizabeth Frederick (NDP),Chukwu Anita Zugwai (YPP), and Rufai Adekunle Omoaje (AA).
The rest are Adenuga Sunday (BP), Memeh Samuel (later substituted for Moses Adebisi (DLA), Anyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu (ZLP), Okereke Sunday Chibuzor (LP), Okereke Iken Esther (NRM), Abbas-Bin Aliyu (ADP), Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed (NNPP), Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer (ADP), Makinde Oluseyi Abiodun (APM) and Yusuf Kabiru (APP).
The vice presidential candidates are Shehu Hussaini (AA), Egbeola Olawale Mertins (YPP), Ike Chinazam (ADP), Shettima Kashim (APC), Mustapha Usman Turaki (BP), Balogun Alex (DLA), Chikwuemeka Uchenna Anthony(NDP), Magashi Haruna Garba (AAC), Umara Babangida (PDP), Musa Mohammed Rabiu Kwankwaso (NDC) and Konto Hajja Bintu (LP)
Others are Hassan Khalid (ZLP), Samuel Magdalene Gali (NRM), Amaechi Chibuike Rotimi (ADC), Abubakar Isah (NNPP), Buba Musa (PRP), Bugaje Usman Mohammed (ADP), Ibrahim Adamu Bala (APM) and Ofordile Peace Egobia (APP).
A security source confirmed that the President “ordered a non-partisan protective measures for all presidential candidates and their deputies no matter how toxic their campaign tactics may be.
“Tinubu is determined to win a free and fair poll. As a democrat, he has security agencies to ensure a level -playing field for all,” the source said.
“The DSS has beefed up security for presidential candidates and their deputies. Some of them have even come up with specifications of their security architecture.
“All the candidates are being taken care of. The DSS is deploying enough manpower for protective duties.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “All the governorship candidates and their deputies are also enjoying security cover from the DSS.
“The overall aim is to ensure a campaign for all free of inhibitions and a hitch-free election.”
The source said states “likely to be flashpoints have been identified and placed under surveillance for National Assembly and State House of Assembly Elections.”
The source explained that the initiative of the secret service was without prejudice to Nigeria Police Force and other agencies’ plans.
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