Tambuwal

Tambuwal seeks advice on use of military

Posted by: Victor Oluwwsegun and Dele Anofi in News 2 days ago

Amid growing concern of lawmakers on the deployment of military personnel for elections, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal yesterday opted to seek professional advice on the subject.

Tambuwal halted a debate on a motion on military deployment for elections and directed the Committees on Justice, Judiciary and Business and Rules to appropriately advise him on the subject.

His decision followed the objection of Sunday Karimi (PDP Kogi) to the motion by the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who sought a probe of the roles played by the military deployed in last June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Gbajabiamila sought the House resolution calling on the Federal Government not to deploy military personnel during the general elections in compliance with the decision of the court.

The Minority leader also asked the House to urge the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), military authority and stakeholders to obey the decision of the Federal High Court.

He noted with dissatisfaction the deployment of military personnel in polling units for election purposes, contrary to Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution

According to him, the maintenance of public safety and public order anywhere in Nigeria, including all polling units and wars during elections, was a constitutional function of the police under Sections 214 and 215 of the constitution.

“We are aware of a secretly-recorded audio tape involving some personnel of the military, now in the public domain, revealing or suggesting how the election in Ekiti State was allegedly rigged.

“It is also disturbing that the presence of military personnel in polling units and wards is capable of generating unwarranted apprehension that will scare away innocent citizens, thereby preventing them from peacefully and willfully exercising their franchise.”

Karimi objected to the motion in a point of order, saying that reference could not be made to a subject that is under litigation.

The Speaker cautioned his colleagues, saying “In view of the sensitivity of the matter and the unfolding political events in the country, I want us to take this matter very seriously.”

Subsequently, he mandated the three committees to work on the motion and advised the House appropriately on the status of the subject.