Edo Rep Seeks DSS Protection Over Alleged Attacks

The legal representatives of Hon. Billy Famous Adesuwa Osawaru, member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, have petitioned the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Ajayi and called for an immediate intelligence investigation into the alleged conduct of Hon. Patrick Aisowieren over threats to life, cybercrime violations, and actions capable of undermining the 2027 electoral process.

In the petition dated April 8, 2026, and signed by the solicitor Osarobo J. Onaghise, the lawyers alleged that Aisowieren, an Edo State representative on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board, engaged in a “deliberate and coordinated campaign of calumny” aimed at discrediting their client and destabilising the political environment in Edo South Senatorial District.

They maintained that the alleged actions pose a serious threat to public peace and democratic order.

According to the petition, tensions escalated following remarks allegedly made by Aisowieren on April 6, 2026, during a political gathering in Igbanke, where he purportedly questioned Osawaru’s academic credentials and made defamatory insinuations.

Osawaru counsels described the statements as “false, malicious, and capable of inciting public unrest,” noting that the comments were recorded and widely circulated across social media platforms.

“The said publication and its viral dissemination constitute a calculated attempt to injure the reputation of our client and provoke hostility against him,” the statement reads.

He added that the development has already triggered cyberbullying attacks against Osawaru’s supporters, despite efforts to maintain calm within the constituency.

The solicitors further argued that the alleged actions contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, particularly regarding the dissemination of false and injurious information through digital platforms.

They also cited relevant sections of the Electoral Act, stating that the remarks amount to hate speech and the use of abusive and inflammatory language prohibited in political campaigns.

They warned that the situation, if left unchecked, could “snowball into avoidable crisis of significant proportion,” stressing that the DSS has the statutory responsibility under the National Security Agencies Act to detect and prevent threats capable of undermining national security and democratic stability.

“We respectfully urge the DSS to immediately open an intelligence investigation into the conduct of Hon. Patrick Aisowieren in connection with threats to the life of our client, violations of the Cybercrime and Electoral Acts, and attempts to manipulate the forthcoming APC primaries,” the petition stated.

The legal team also called for an investigation into the coordinated dissemination of the viral video, as well as protective measures to safeguard their client and preserve the integrity of the electoral process, insisting that urgent intervention is necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order in Edo State.