Sowore accuses DSS of discrimination at 2027 Peace Accord signing
Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate for 2027, said on Wednesday that Department of State Services operatives blocked him at the gate of the National Peace Committee’s Peace Accord signing event and demanded his invitation letter, even after admitting they knew his identity. He noted that another candidate arrived with a long convoy and was ushered through without any harassment, while DSS also barred his staff and camera crew from entering. Sowore refused to accept the discriminatory treatment, insisting that all candidates deserve equal dignity regardless of the size of their convoy or the privilege they display.
The incident occurred amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, when the National Peace Committee convenes presidential aspirants to sign a peace accord aimed at curbing election‑related violence. Sowore, a longtime human‑rights activist who has faced repeated clashes with security agencies, argued that the DSS’s behavior reflects a broader culture of intimidation and class discrimination that undermines the credibility of the peace process. When agents treat candidates differently based on perceived status, it not only disadvantages those without elaborate convoys but also signals to voters that the electoral playing field may be tilted, eroding confidence in upcoming polls.
If security agencies are to uphold the spirit of the peace accord, they must apply the same standards to every aspirant. What concrete steps should the DSS take to guarantee equal access for all candidates, and how can citizens and oversight bodies monitor and hold them accountable for discriminatory conduct at political events?