Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has perfected plans to rig the forthcoming general elections on March 28 and April 11.
According to the governor, some PDP chieftains have made overtures to senior military officers to assist them in ensuring that PDP thugs are given easy passage during the polls to carry out their rigging plot.
He said, “Politicians are already making contact with senior military officers under the 4 Brigade, asking them to assist their thugs in buying rubbers (arm bands) of various colours to distinguish Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs from All Progressives Congress (APC) members, to have special stickers that would be used in identifying their people.”
But reacting to the allegations, the public relations officer for the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade, Captain Abubakar Abdullahi, described the allegation as grave, adding that it cannot just be wished away. He promised that the matter will be properly investigated.
“This is a serious allegation that the Command of Headquarters 4 Brigade will investigate. All should please note that the GOC, 2 Division, Nigerian Army has just concluded a two-day visit to Edo State which was principally aimed at sensitising troops on the Code of Conduct for Army personnel before, during and after the 2015 General Elections”.
The governor appealed to the military to resist being used to subvert the will of the people, saying “I plead with you in the name of God, let your officers resist the overture of politicians”.
The Governor noted “I know that in this State and in this country, we have had good elections, those were not perfect, but, many believed that they were a substantial improvement on the previous ones.”
He said the failure of the country to get her acts right on free and fair election has made her the butt of jokes even on the African continent.
He said: “recently, I was watching Channels Television and I had mixed feelings when some people in South Africa organized a protest to President Zuma’s office asking the South African Government to show interest in what is happening in the country. We ought to be their teacher because while they were being ruled on the basis of colour, we were regarded as a Frontline State. Young school children were asked to contribute money to get South Africa free. Today, South Africa now lectures us about democracy. So we have stripped ourselves naked that even children are beginning to peep at our private parts.
Speaking during the courtesy visit of Major General Sanusi Nasir Muazu, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Ibadan, to his office, Oshiomhole noted said “we will do our best to continue with the armed forces as an integral part of the state and we trust that you will ensure that the vote counts and that no selfish officers allows himself to be used to intimidate electoral officers.
“Nobody understands the need for peace and security more than the Armed Forces because you have paid the supreme price. Even the current insurgency, I know very fine young officers of senior rank who have been killed in the course of defending and securing parts of Nigeria.
As a result of Boko Haram insurgency, people are dying every day. So that uniform, those who wear it, deserve the respect and appreciation of everyone. And our politicians should do nothing to rubbish the uniform.”
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, commended the governor for his developmental strides and his support to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army in the state.
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