30th August, 2014
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal on Saturday added his voice to the condemnation against the militarization of election in the country, describing it as “undemocratic”.
Tambuwal who made his indignation of the undue use of military operatives during election known in Benin while speaking at the residence of the deputy governor of Edo state, Dr. Pius Odubu, stated that states must not be over-militarized during elections in order not to discourage people from voting.
He advised that heavy military presence should rather be deployed at the front line in Northeast states like Adamawa, Borno and Yobe where men of the dreaded Boko Haram have continued to reign supreme.
“I have made my position known at the NBA conference about a week ago. And I said that it is not the best of fashion in a democracy that you militarize a process to the extent that voters get intimidated and scared and they rather withdraw and remain indoors,” he said, just as he urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure the conduct of a free and fair election.
“And as for Nigerians, they want free fair and credible elections in 2015. Yes, in as much as we need security during elections, we don’t need overdose of it. Where we need heavy presence of military men is in the front line states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. So we should focus more on that, than state where we are conducting civic responsibilities like elections,” he said.
It would be recalled that over 73, 000 security operatives were deployed to Osun state during the 9 August governorship election, attracting widespread condemnation.
The Speaker however urged all Nigerians to give the needed support and prayer to the Federal Government in its effort to curb insurgency in the North East.
“At the National Assembly, we have given them all the necessary support so far. We have given them resources, we have given them money, we have given them the legal frame work that they require. We implore Nigerians not to lose hope, not to lose sleep in the fight against insurgency. It is not an easy task and we should support the government to ensure that we address this problem squarely.”
Reacting to speculations of his imminent defection to the APC, Tambuwal said, “When I went to collect my voter’s card, I said I was consulting and I am still consulting. Nigeria is not a small country, we have very, very senior leaders that one need to meet with before taking such decisions. As I said, I am consulting and at the appropriate time, I will come out to say what I will be doing in 2015.
”INEC regulations are very clear. The electoral act does not allow people to come out and begin to campaign at a particular period. So I don’t think it is late, what is important is that for those who are aspiring to offices to prepare themselves for those offices. And this is not something that you do over night.”
Tambuwal who was in Benin for the wedding ceremony of the son of the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa, Prince Ehioze Erediauwa and wife Chioma, he was accompanied by the Minority Whip of the House and member representing Uhumwonde/Orhiomnwon Federal Constituency, Samson Osagie; Rasaq Bello-Osagie (Oredo Federal Constituency); Jim Adun (Egor/Ikpoba-Okha), Isaac Osahon (Ovia Federal Constituency) and members of the Edo State Executive Council.