The Department of State Services (DSS) has summoned Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed for questioning following a series of public remarks that security officials consider inciting and capable of undermining national stability.
The invitation, confirmed late Friday in Abuja, follows growing concern within the intelligence community over comments he recently made about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Baba-Ahmed, who served as the Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has appeared on multiple media platforms in recent weeks.
His statements, according to security operatives, crossed lines that touch on national security, constitutional order, and the integrity of state institutions.
A senior security officer familiar with the development said the DSS became alarmed after Baba-Ahmed openly criticised the judiciary and the military for allowing the inauguration of President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
He was also quoted as saying that the inauguration empowered the military to “look you in the face and call you ‘bloody fools.’”
According to the official, the tone of his remarks was considered inflammatory, especially at a time when Nigeria is grappling with political tension and heightened public sensitivity.
Security agents believe some of his statements could trigger unrest if left unaddressed.
The officer added that the agency views such rhetoric as potentially dangerous, noting that similar political narratives have contributed to instability in several West African countries.
He stressed that the invitation was necessary to prevent any escalation or misinterpretation of the senator’s comments among the public.
He explained that the DSS is approaching the matter with caution. The invitation, he said, is not punitive but preventive and aimed at clarifying his intentions, understanding the context behind the remarks, and discouraging narratives that could weaken trust in state institutions.
Officials also expressed concern over Baba-Ahmed’s description of ongoing national security reforms as a “joke,” warning that such statements could aggravate public sentiment and erode confidence in government efforts.
The DSS is expected to question him on the implications of his comments, especially those touching on the judiciary, military, and the overall constitutional framework.