I recall that a
section of the polity has decided to drag the Nigerian Army into the murky
water of politics for their selfish reasons. This arose from the charge given
by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces President Muhammadu Buhari for
the Nigeria Army to deal ruthlessly with those who intend to snatch ballot
boxes during the elections or engage in acts of thuggery aimed at disrupting
the polls.
I must confess that I am amazed as
to how the PDP bigwigs and sympathizers have blown the issue out of proportion.
They forgot that for the credibility of the polls to be achieved, there ought
to be a level of security in place to guard against vices such as ballot box
snatching, vote buying and other evil acts associated with elections in this
country.
While I am not against these folks
airing their opinion on issues they have reservations, I am however taken aback
with the way and manner they have so politicized the issue with the aim of
misleading the unsuspecting members of the public to believe that there is
indeed something sinister in the directive.
Yes, the Chief of Army Staff
addressed his principal officers that included the General Officers Commanding
the various divisions in the country to remind them of the task at hand which
is necessary to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country and the need
for the troops to respect the constituted authorities. I see nothing wrong with
this. And I wonder how the PDP interpreted or is interpreting issues,
especially in the build-up to the elections.
It even gets confusing when it is
common knowledge that over time, the Nigerian Army in discharging its
constitutionally recognized and authorized mandate, focuses on two cardinal
objectives, and they are subservience to constituted authority and the respect
for human rights.
This is also sufficing to add that
the Nigeria Army has overtime provided that needed support to the Nigerian
police in the effective discharge of its duties in times of elections and other
emergencies. And if this is and has been the case, why cry wolf where none
exist? I think that the members of the general public should resist the antics
of some unscrupulous elements hell-bent on causing disaffection in the polity
to win the sympathy of the electorates with some days left to the general
elections.
There are abound instances where the
Nigerian Army had ensured that voters carry out their civic
responsibility without fear or favour. The Ekiti and Osun states elections are
glaring examples of the invaluable role the Nigerian Army plays in
entrenching and sustaining democracy in Nigeria. Ordinarily, Nigerians
should not have any cause for worry or concern if they do not have ulterior
motives during the elections.
But those that want to incite and
cause mayhem should have every reason to be afraid because I think that any
action that negates peace and tranquility would and should be resisted by the
Nigerian Army. And this should give every true lover of democracy a cause
for concern.
The desperation to rig the election
at all cost is what has driven the PDP to begin to act towards every other
citizen even worse than what Boko Haram have done in North East Nigeria.
This desperation led by Obasanjo and
some Governors to return an Atiku Abubakar who has become desperate as to drag
the Nigerian Army despite its apolitical nature into politics is what
many today have become afraid of.
The fear of ballot box snatcher is
real, and every Nigerian looks up to the Army to be able to provide the needed
security for them to be able to exercise their franchise. One would, therefore,
plead with the PDP to allow the Nigerian Army to focus on its role and
responsibilities as those who have nothing to hide should have nothing to
fear.
The Nigeria Army under Lt GenTukur
Buratai is a responsive organization and one that has tremendously shown
respect for the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Worthy of mention also is the fact that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur
Buratai is a professional officer and one whose loyalty can never be
doubted.
He is also a refined promoter of
human rights as evident in his numerous interactions with the civilian populace
through the Directorate of Civil-Military relations. This much has been
said about him in multiple forums and how he has done so much in three years to
reflect on the average soldier in the country.
It is also on record that the
Nigerian Army has not unlawfully engaged any citizen in any arms’
struggle and this very much we are aware the Army has continued to imbibe. An
example of the professionalism of the Nigeria Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai
was in 2016 in Rivers state when militants opened fire on troops during a rerun
election. Guess what? The Army didn’t retaliate but instead fished out
the criminals and handed to the police.
Now, that is just an example of the
professionalism of the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in recent
times. The public outcry by the PDP and its agents are in poor taste and meant
to mislead. Needless I add that there is no rest for the wicked. And make no
mistakes, the Nigerian Army would rise to the occasion during and after
the elections in Nigeria. For those who may not want a python dance with the
Army, it is simply thumb print on your ballot paper and AVOID the box itself.
Agbese is a researcher in human
rights law at the Middlesex University, London.(PA542@live.mdx.ac.uk)
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