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Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday protested an
alleged inducement of some troops deployed for last Saturday’s election by
leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.

Mr Oshiomhole who spoke at a press conference in Benin, said
PDP leaders in the state used the military to arrest and brutalise ACN
supporters during the botched National Assembly election.

“The conduct of the officers and men in various places on
Saturday strongly indicated that their operational order was not to give effect
to Mr President’s resolve to provide adequate security during the elections.
Rather, the Army actively executed the bidding of the PDP, as the various
contingents were deployed to harass ACN leaders and members in order to pave
the way for the rigging of the election,” he said.

“PDP thugs, including those hired from neighbouring states wore
special red and yellow arm bands, which became symbols of immunity even in the
face of the premeditated violence they unleashed. The pre-agreed colours
allowed PDP thugs easy passage.” He alleged that military men deployed to the
state, who were supposed to provide security for the elections, turned out to
be tools of intimidation and harassment of innocent citizens on the orders of
PDP chieftains in the state.

Fair to all

He said even though he supported the deployment of the military
as a way of ensuring credible polls, it was unacceptable for the security
outfit to become a willing tool in the hands of members of the ruling party to
harass innocent citizens.

The governor further alleged that the PDP leaders had boasted
openly about their resolve to use both retired and serving military officers
during the elections in Edo South senatorial district.

“We do not believe that this criminal subversion of the Nigeria Army is
being perpetrated to the knowledge of Mr President. This is why we are compelled
to draw President Jonathan’s attention to this attempt to use the army to
soften the ground for the PDP to rig the elections,” he said. “We plead that
the Commander-in-Chief should strongly prevail on the Nigerian Army to be
neutral and to appreciate that it is a national institution. We also plead that
Mr President should call the Inspector General of Police to order and prevail
on him to detest on subverting the neutrality of the Force by taking orders
from PDP bigwigs in the Presidency.” Mr Oshiomhole however restated his
“concurrence with the need to deploy the Nigeria Army to help ensure free and
fair elections.”