PDP planning to rig polls with army, Oshiomhole alledges

We will investigate, says military

EDO State Governor,‎ Adams Oshiomhole, has alleged that the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has perfected plans to rig the forthcoming general elections using the military.

   According to him, some PDP chieftains have made overtures to senior military officers to assist them in ensuring that PDP thugs get easy passage during the exercise to rig the polls.

   The governor also accused the PDP-led Federal Government of destroying the nation’s economy. He told a coalition of women from across the 18 local councils of the state on a solidarity visit: “PDP has mismanaged the economy. 

   “You can all see that you need about N220 now to buy $1. When PDP took over power in 1999, $1 was between N60 and N65.”

   Earlier, the leader of the coalition, Mrs. Evelyn Igbafe, said they were at the Government House to thank the governor for re-appointing Prince Ehioze Erediauwa into the state’s Oil and Gas Commission and assured him of their continued support.

   Speaking during a courtesy visit to his office yesterday by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Sanusi Nasir Muazu, Oshiomhole 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 votes count and that no selfish officer allows himself to be used to intimidate electoral officers.

   Reacting to the allegation, however, the Army Public Relations Officer, for Army 4 Brigade, Capt. Abubakar Abdullahi, described the accusation as grave and one that cannot just be wished away, therefore he promised that the matter would be properly investigated. 

   This is a serious allegation that the Command of Headquarters 4 Brigade will investigate,” he said. “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.

   Oshiomhole alleged: “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 PDP thugs from All Progressive Congress, to have special stickers that would be used in identifying their people.”

   “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.”

   He noted that the nation’s failure to get her acts right on free and fair election has made her the butt of jokes even on the African continent, adding: “Recently, I was watching Channels Television and I had mixed feelings when some South Africans organized a protest to President (Jacob) 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.”