DSS, Apostle Suleman And The ‘Heroic’ Governor Fayose

– By Aladejana Ayodeji

In the early hours of Wednesday, 25th January 2017, Governor Ayodele Fayose foiled an attempt by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Apostle Johnson Suleman, the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide in Ado Ekiti. The pastor was in Ado Ekiti for a two-day crusade that was also attended by Governor Fayose.

Apostle Suleman was alleged to have instructed his church members to kill any Fulani herdsmen found or seen around his church. Apostle Suleman utterances were propelled (like he said) by a tip off he got from an unnamed individual who informed him of plans by Fulani herdsmen to attack him and his convoy.

Operatives of DSS were reported to have trailed Apostle Suleman after he visited Governor Fayose at the Government House. They (Operatives of DSS) trailed him to his hotel room and almost forced their way in but they faced resistance by the hotel Security who was said to have insisted to know their mission before they allow them in.

It’s not surprising that DSS attempted to whisk Apostle Suleman away at that time of the night, it wasn’t their first time; remember the plight of the judges they arrested also in the middle of the night? They seem to have adopted that time of the day to effect arrest. Well, that’s how it seems.

One could say the present day Federal Government have resolved to frustrate (or punish) any clergyman that visits Governor Fayose. Pastor Enoch Adeboye was ‘forced’ to resign after he also visited Governor Fayose and heaped praises on him. It could be coincidence that Apostle Suleman was also trailed and marked for arrest after visiting Governor Fayose….. or it could have been planned as well.

Apostle Suleman could have been invited by the DSS if they felt his utterances were a threat to national security. That way, he would definitely have honoured the invitation to humble himself and the church he represents. If he fails to honour their invitation, no one would have reacted even if they arrest him during church service. Well am just kidding, Nigerians would still react….. you sabi us na

I wouldn’t also want to disregard the fact that the utterance made by Apostle Suleman is capable and can be labelled as a threat to national security. If his utterance was processed wrongly by people, we might have seen inter-religious or inter-tribal clashes in different parts of the country, but that God it hasn’t happened………… at least for now.

I think DSS should be more professional in dealing with issues like this. A swift response is nice, but being swift in a wrong way is as bad as not responding at all. I won’t bite more than I can chew, I wouldn’t want anyone knocking at father’s house later this night.

Whosoever issued the directive for Apostle Suleman was wrong; the directive is ill timed. Apostle Suleman was also wrong for making such utterances. A man of God (as he would prefer to describe himself) should have been more civil with his actions and utterances. Well, our ‘heroic’ Governor Fayose did a great job this time. People might consider his actions as a political stunt, but he saved the situation that day. The DSS might have infringed the fundamental human rights of Apostle Suleman under the cover of darkness but that didn’t happen, thanks to Governor Fayose… sorry, our Hero, Bashorun Ayodele Fayose.