Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), has publicly expressed gratitude that the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in Osun State, won last Saturday’s governorship election in the South-West state.

A total of 20 political parties fielded candidates for the election won by incumbent governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who garnered 394,684 votes as against the 292,747 polled by his closest rival, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking yesterday at the National Briefing Centre, Abuja, DSS Spokesperson Marilyn Ogar said: “We thank God that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election in Osun State. There was no bomb blast, because there was enough security presence on ground. The security forces that assisted in the election in Edo State were the same ones that went to Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun,”

Ms Ogar claimed that one of the political parties is after the DSS for turning down N14 million bribe offered its officials in Osun State, during the election.

“A director in charge of election duties (security) was offered N4 million for himself and N10 million,” Ogar said. “It is because the money was declined that a “certain political party” is having running battle with the DSS. Thank God the APC won the election, its loss could have been blamed on the DSS.”

Ogar emphasised that DSS cannot be financially induced, saying: “We are well paid. I will say it categorically, our operations are well funded. The N14 million as against N200 million that was spent, which one will you go for? People should stop using money to entice security forces. The Federal Government and the people of Nigeria who have engaged us have the capability of taking care of us.”

•Photo shows DSS Spokesperson Marilyn Ogar.