The Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party in the state has perfected plans to rig the forthcoming general elections on March 28 and April 11. The governor said 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.
Said Oshiomhole: “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 Progressive Congress (APC); to have special stickers that would be used in identifying their people.”
He however 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. 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.”
Speaking during the courtesy visit of Major General Sanusi Nasir Muazu, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Ibadan, to his office, Oshiomhole noted “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. 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. Our politicians should do nothing to rubbish the uniform.”
In his remarks, General Muazu commended the governor for his developmental strides and his support to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army in the state.
But reacting to the allegations, the Army Public Relations Officer for Nigerian Army 4 Brigade, Captain Abubakar Abdullahi said that the allegations are too grave to be wished away: “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, he said in a text message.
Also reacting to the allegations, the state chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih said, “If there is any person any person that has anything close to a uniform it is the governor who is used to wearing khaki. I want to say that the statements of the governor are the last desperate expression of a drowning political actor.”
Orbih noted that the governor “having realized that Edo teachers have now rejected him, Edo judicial workers have rejected him, local government workers are rejecting him; the teachers and market women have rejected him; victims of his demolition exercise are rejecting him at the next election and victims of those he wants to forcefully acquire their landed property they are also crying out louder rejecting him and even the tax payers who have been made to pay multiple taxes have come to a conclusion that this election, they will use their voting power to say no to APC and Adams Oshiomhole.”
He said “Governor Oshiomhole has quickly invented a story line to explain his inevitable defeat at the polls by accusing and giving reasons for his impending defeat that PDP wants to use the army to rig the election. He should retract the statement; his statement is irresponsible and untrue.”
