Politicians plotting to truncate governorship election, Army chief Buratai claims

An alarm has been raised by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, who claims that some politicians are planning to truncate the conduct of Saturday’s governorship and state Assembly polls.

Buratai said the military has received Intel that some politicians are planning to perpetrate acts of violence including bombings and assassinations to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections.

The Chief of Army Staff revealed that much during his opening remarks at a strategic meeting with Principal Staff Officers, General Officers Commanding and field commanders at the army headquarters in Abuja.

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Buratai said the army “must not allow them to succeed.”

He said during the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections, some level of violence was recorded leading to “disruption of polls, burning of ballot boxes in some areas as well as loss of lives, including the death of an officer and three soldiers.”

Buratai also warned that no Army officer is allowed to fraternise with politicians during this election period, urging “commanders to deal decisively with any electoral crime or action such as thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, illegal possession of electoral materials and firearms as well as other crimes that would mar the smooth conduct of the election.”

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