Elections: Military reads riot act to personnel, civilians

…Reaffirms its neutrality, impartiality before, during and after polls

…Elections will not be compromised by security agencies, NSA assures

Andrew Orolua, and Tunde Opalana, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, warned that “with the exception of those on essential duties, no military personnel should be found wearing uniform on the elections’ days, adding that those who flaunted the order will face the wrath of full military justice system. The DHQ also warned that “any civilian caught in military uniform will be treated as a terrorist,” saying that already the military is inundated with the allegations of illegal importation of military equipment and uniforms into the country which is being investigated. This is just as the Military reaffirmed its neutrality, impartiality and strict adherence to professional code of conduct before, during and after the general election. The Acting Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier General John Agim, stated gave the warning at press conference in Abuja while stating the role of military during and after the forthcoming general election. Brigadier-General Agim said that the military will perform its constitutional duties and it has nothing to do with the conduct of elections. He said: “We would like to reiterate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will carry out its constitutional duties with zero tolerance to unprofessional conduct. No military personnel are expected to fraternise with any political parties and associations.” Agim, who was flanked by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman and his Nigerian Navy counterpart, Commodore Dahun and a representative of the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigeria Air Force, maintained that no military personnel in uniform should be found at polling booths. He acknowledged that “military personnel have the right to perform their civic duty to vote as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, adding that “they must approach their polling units in mufti, devoid of any military accoutrement”. He said that “any military personnel who is not on essential duty that is found on military uniform on Election Day will be arrested and face the full wrath of military justice system.” “Let me emphatically state that the Defence Headquarters has warned that all Officers, Soldiers, Ratings, Airmen and Women of the Nigerian Armed Forces must remain neutral and exhibit exceptional professionalism before, during and after the upcoming elections. ” The Defence Headquarters said that the ongoing Exercise Egwu Eke III (Exercise Python Dance III) and other similar exercises in various parts of the nation are not targeted at any particular set of people or groups nor is it aimed at manipulating the electoral process. “The exercises are to ensure that all eligible citizens, irrespective of their religion or political inclinations, are given the opportunity to carry out their civic right to vote and be voted for in a peaceful environment devoid of violence and intimidation by criminal elements”, he assured. He said that the exercises became necessary in view of threats from some unpatriotic individuals and dissident groups to stop people in some parts of the country from casting their votes on election days.
“Let the public be re-assured that no persons or group of person have the right to deny or intimidate eligible voters from performing their constitutional obligations. “Therefore, all efforts of the military are to assist other security agencies to ensure that no Nigerian is disenfranchised,” he said. The Defence Headquarters warned all, including “persons or group of persons that tries to constitute themselves into nuisance and disturb public peace on election days. According to DDI, anyone found disrupting public peace will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land. He said that all military Commanders have been tasked to ensure adequate security in their Areas of Responsibility. They have also been further directed to ensure the adherence to code of conduct and rules of engagement in the discharge of their duties. These assigned tasks include arrest of anyone in military uniform who is not on essential duty on election days. “Likewise, any civilian caught in military uniform will be treated as a terrorist”, he reiterated. “Similarly, there is credible intelligence report that some people are planning to scuttle free and fair election in some parts of the country,” he added. The Defence Headquarters warned such group of people to desist from such unpatriotic act. It cautioned that anyone caught, be they serving or retired military personnel, or civilians, no matter how highly placed will be arrested and treated in accordance with the extant laws of the land. He said: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria is prepared to support the civil authority in ensuring the conduct of free, fair and credible elections by providing security support services when requested by appropriate civil authorities in line with our constitutional roles. “While the Armed Forces continue to rely on the cooperation and understanding of the media and Nigerians towards sustenance of peace and security in our nation, members of the public are enjoined to report any suspicious person, movement or activities before, during and after the elections to security agencies for prompt actions”. Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd), has said the nation’s security agencies will not be compromised in the coming elections. Rather, he assured that members of the military and para-military agencies that will participate in the elections will discharge their constitutional duties and stay clear of partisanship. Maj. Gen Monguno, who is the Co- Chairman of Inter- Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, gave the assurance in Abuja on Thursday during an INEC National Stakeholders Forum on2019 General Election held at Sheraton Hotels, Abuja. He also assured Nigerians and the international community of President Muhammadu Buhari’s to free and fair elections. He said President Buhari had always insisted that the coming election is not a do or die affair for him. While vouching for the integrity of the Nigerian military, he promised that security agencies will strictly adhere to their professional roles of providing adequate security for Electoral officials and election materials during and after the poll. “It is not expected of security agencies to be negatively involved in, assist or aid any political party or politician or be used to intimidate voters”, he said. Monguno, however, said the security agencies will not spare any person, group or party that attempt to disrupt the electoral process, as the weight of the law will come upon Electoral offenders. He warned people with pseudo- military outfit to keep them away from voting arena. “We do not want to unnecessary trouble in the country. Whatever that can be avoided should be avoided “, he charged. The security chief as well advised religious leaders to be cautious of uttering emotional and inciting languages. Acting Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, said that Nigeria Police as the lead election security agency will carry out election assignment without bias or political influence. He promised that officers and men of the Nigeria Police will collaborate with other agencies to ensure hitch -free election. Adamu said the police is adequately prepared with manpower and equipment to discharge its election duties. Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, reiterated the preparedness of the Commission to conduct free, fair and credible poll. He affirmed that INEC will surpass its performance in the 2015 general election, adding that the Commission has improved tremendously on the 2015 election with series of elections conducted between then and now. The stakeholders’ event was sponsored by the European Union and the European Centre for Electoral Support.