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RIVERS GUBER: Nigerian Army accuse INEC, police of betrayal
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police have both been accused of betrayal by the Nigerian Army.
In a statement by the spokesman of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, a Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, the army accused INEC of betrayal, following its report on the suspended Rivers governorship and State Assembly elections.
The Nigerian Army also regretted that it sacrificed so much to assist towards a very successful conduct of election but INEC turned its back against it while also describing the Festus Okoye-led committee report, which accused it of undue interference in the election as one that lacked sincerity.
In the statement, the army also said it was disappointed over the action of the Nigeria Police regarding the issue, asking the latter to “commence full scale investigation of those security aides to Governor Wike that attacked troops at the Obio/Akpor Local Government Headquarters Collation Center and shot at Capt AA Salami with a view to appropriately sanction those found responsible/culpable. Until that is done, Headquarters 6 Division NA will have to review all existing joint activities with the Rivers State Police Command.”
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On the Festus Okoye-led committee report, the army “maintained that the INEC failed to look at the circumstances surrounding its intervention during the conduct of the exercise and more so when it made a presentation to the INEC fact-finding committee during its visit to the state.
“Regrettably, none of the Division’s input form any of the findings of INEC as made public. This clearly indicates lack of trust by an institution that the Nigerian Army sacrifices so much to assist in the course of performing their role”, the army insisted.
Recall that a statement signed days ago by INEC’s National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, condemned the role played by the Nigerian Army and armed gangs in disrupting the electoral process in the state.
INEC alleged that the collation centres were invaded by some soldiers and armed gangs resulting in the intimidation and unlawful arrest of election officials thereby disrupting the collation process.
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