DSS Barred Ben Bruce From Going Close To Buhari In Aso Rock Presidential Villa

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) barred Ben Murray Bruce, representative of Bayelsa east senatorial district, from exchanging pleasantries with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa on Monday.

According to Bruce, who joined his colleagues to a dinner to mark the 2016 democracy day, he had attempted to greet the president like a senator did, but the security agent denied him access.

“I was at the Presidential villa today. Went to the President’s table. DSS wouldn’t allow me greet him but let another Senator greet him,” he tweeted.

I was at the Presidential villa today. Went to the President’s table. DSS wouldn’t allow me greet him but let another Senator greet him!

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 30, 2016

“My critics say I shouldn’t criticize the president openly, so I go and meet him one on one and I’m blocked. Am I not a Nigerian citizen?

My critics say I shouldn’t criticize the President openly, so I go and meet him one on one and I’m blocked. Am I not a Nigerian citizen?

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 30, 2016

“If PMB’s handlers selectively block access to him, he runs the risk of being surrounded only by sycophants!

Kadir, if PMB’s handlers selectively block access to him, he runs the risk of being surrounded only by sycophants! pic.twitter.com/5MDW5rZwYx

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 30, 2016

“I have nothing against the President, however, nobody is too important to be criticized and my mouth will never be silenced!”

Bruce is known to be very critical of the current administration, particularly the president.

Few hours before the villa incident, he tweeted: “It’s ‘fantastically corrupt’ that Nigeria maintains a 10 plane Presidential fleet whereas the PM of a rich nation like UK flies commercial!”

Its ‘fantastically corrupt’ that Nigeria maintains a 10 plane Presidential fleet whereas the PM of a rich nation like UK flies commercial!

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 30, 2016