Deployment of 3500 Soldiers to Edo State for the purpose of the forthcoming Gubernatorial Elections. July 14, 2012. The House: Notes that election conduct is a civic exercise where innocent legitimately qualified citizens freely can choose via the ballot box, their leaders under a conducive atmosphere; Further notes that the conduct of free and fair election is a sine quo non to the advancement of democracy in an atmosphere devoid of tension or coercive instruments, or appearances of same; Appreciates that the conduct of elections in Nigeria sometime is violence prone, thereby necessitating the need for security presence; Aware that government has constitutional obligation and need to maintain public order during and after elections; Further aware that the constitutionally empowered security personnel to maintain public safety and public order as enshrined in section 215 (3) is the Nigerian Police. Recalls that attempts have been made in the past to use the men and officers of the Nigerian Army at different times for this role and such efforts have proved to be unnecessary and high-handed because of the consequential effects; Worried that the recourse to Nigerian army officers and men for the conduct of any election is an extension of militarization of the psyche of our people and a growing attempt to make Nigerian Police look incompetent and incapable; Observes that we are struggling to wean ourselves and society from the appearances of the military presence in civic areas of our national life, i.e. demilitarize the citizenry; Disturbed that ahead of the July 14, 2012 Edo State gubernatorial elections, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika has announced the deployment of 3500 soldiers to Edo State. Worried that the constitutional responsibilities and functions of the Military does not include monitoring or presence for the conduct of elections as enshrined in the constitution section 217 (1-4) and where it become necessary to have military involvement in any civil exercise , the conditions that must be satisfied are as expressed in the constitution section 217 (2c); Further worried that the attempt is allowed unchallenged, portends huge risks to our nation and democracy, because the well-being of our nation and its government is anchored on strict adherence and compliance with the framework as enshrined in the constitution. This is in clear breach of the provisions of the constitution; Resolves to: Mandate the President, Commander in Chief to immediately direct the Chief of Army of Staff to recall the 3500 soldiers deployed to Edo State for the purpose of maintaining security at the forth coming gubernatorial elections.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:26:26 +0000