Pizza stunt backfires, officials evade accountability as questions pile up about DNR operations

As allegations have surfaced about the illegal registration of citizens to the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) using information taken from the Department of National Registration (DNR), the government's attempt to cover it up with a stunt has backfired embarrassingly.

It has been revealed that senior political figures from the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology used photos and information from DNR to forge signatures and fingerprints on forms to change party affiliations. While the government repeatedly denied this was happening, leaked photos on social media show Homeland Security and Technology Minister Ali Ihusaan inside DNR, sitting at a table filling out forms to register people to PNC. The minister was seen with his phone in hand, along with DNR’s Deputy Minister Ahmed Ali and other senior political figures.

The minister claimed he was there in response to an “invitation for pizza”. With allegations of stealing citizens' private information to increase party membership, concerns have intensified. As DNR and the Home Ministry landed in hot water, they extended an invitation to journalists on Tuesday to showcase DNR's operations. The invitation stated it was an event to show journalists DNR's operations. Journalists were taken to a room where pizza was laid out, only to be ushered out for what was said to be a “news briefing”.

The press meeting was attended by State Minister Majid, Deputy Minister Ahmed Ali, and a technical staff member. They stated that the room where the journalists were was the same room where photos of Ihusaan were allegedly taken. Journalists asked questions about why Ihusaan was there and details of what transpired. Unable to answer, the officials left the briefing. The Home Ministry's media coordinator then faced the journalists. It wasn't clarified whether the press meeting had concluded or not.

Critics are blasting the Home Ministry for a tone-deaf “pizza” invitation to journalists, pointing out that after more than a year power, this is the first such stunt, particularly suspicious given the controversial photos of Ihusaan inside the DNR meeting room. Many see it as a mockery of the public’s need for transparency.