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By Kingsley Omonobi, Joseph Erunke and Dirisu Yakubu
• Says a PDP candidate trying to incite the army against the constituted authority
• Obey orders, be 100% loyal or resign, says Buratai to officers, soldiers
• Do not politicize the military, warns the PDP, adds that Buhari does not have the power to deploy soldiers for the elections
• Quit the politics, fight the insurgency, Atiku responds to the SFOC
• FEC supports Buhari order against election thieves
ABUJA – The army chief of staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, yesterday asked the presidential candidate of the Democratic People's Party, PDP, and former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to withdraw his statement calling on the military to disobey the ruthless president's directive on thieves.
Speaking at a meeting he had with staff officers, general officers and brigade commanders ahead of the poll expected to begin on Saturday, Buratai put it on warned politicians and their supporters against any test of the will of the army, insisting that those who violated the law were violated. , will be treated according to the directive of President Buhari.
At an emergency meeting of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abuja last Monday, the President warned that anyone who would stir up trouble, including carrying ballot boxes, would do so at the "cost of his life".
"Whoever decides to take cartons or bring thugs to disrupt the election, this might be the last illegal action you would undertake. I gave the army and the police the order to be ruthless.
"I will warn anyone who thinks he could lead a group of thugs in his community to seize boxes or disrupt the electoral system; he would do it at the expense of his own life, "said the president.
Reacting to the president's orders, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate, at the 84th emergency meeting of the PDP's national executive council, said that Buhari was not involved in the fight for democracy in Nigeria.
"I want to send this message to our commanders and military officers. You know that commanders and military officers are not required to execute obviously illegal orders, "Atiku said.
"It is the law, it is the tradition in the army; so if you are a military officer and a professional soldier and also a police officer, you are not obliged to execute an order that is manifestly illegal, no matter the recipient. "
Unhappy statement from Atiku – COAS
Buratai, who said that the statement of Atiku was unfortunate since it was previously at the highest level of the country 's government and knew perfectly well that the Nigerian army in particular and the army in general are expected to obey the orders of the commander-in-chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the latter, said that they would treat Buhari's last command with one exception.
However, Alhaji Abubakar fought back against the army chief, urging him to focus his energy on fighting the insurgency in some parts of the country rather than on the partisan field.
The PDP, for its part, warned Buratai not to drag officers and soldiers into the troubled waters of partisan politics, adding that President Buhari did not have the power to deploy the army for electoral purposes, given that that the Court of Appeals, which on February 15, 2015, ruled that the president had no power to deploy soldiers when conducting the elections.
FEC supports Buhari guidelines
This took place as the Federal Executive Council, the FEC, yesterday backed President Buhari's directives to security agencies to make them ruthless with voter thieves in the upcoming polls.
After informing the correspondents of the State House after the FEC weekly chaired by the president at the Council Room of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed said: "Absolutely. I mean, if you want to intimidate the voters that they steal the people's mandate, you should be able to deal with the anger of the law. "
Speaking at a meeting he had with staff officers, general officers and brigade commanders ahead of the poll expected to begin on Saturday, Buratai put it on warns politicians and their supporters against any test of the will of the army, insisting that those who have been raped have violated the law. law, will be treated in accordance with President Buhari's directive.
Although he did not categorically mention the name of the former vice-president, his description of the subject of his speech referred to the presidential candidate of the PDP.
His words: "It is unfortunate to hear people who aspire to rule this country, again inciting the army to disobedience. We have always affirmed our position in the political dispensation to remain neutral and apolitical.
PANDEF pushes pumpkins on Buhari for orders on thieves
"However, the direct and public incitement of the Nigerian military to fight against democracy and to establish a civilian authority will not be tolerated. I ask these people to withdraw this incentive statement. Let me reiterate loud and clear that the Nigerian army is a professional army.
Addressing the military personnel, Buratai said: "Military professionalism is based on discipline. Without discipline, an army can not survive. One of our core values is loyalty to constituted authority.
"Loyalty must be 100%. I will leave you in no doubt as to our willingness to bequeath to Nigeria and Nigerians a professionally receptive army. "
The army chief revealed that staff attached to retired army generals, especially those who became politicians, will be withdrawn, just as he said that no political actor would only be allowed to escort the army.
"If an officer or a soldier has doubts about his loyalty to the Nigerian state in his present composition, such a person has until February 22, 2019 to resign. Today, the Nigerian army has no room for indiscipline or disobedience to legitimate orders.
"I want to remind all members present that the act of electoral brutality, the uprooting of electoral ballot boxes, the illegal possession of election materials and similar crimes are intended to spoil an election and to create deliberate ways of violence and chaos after the election.
"Such actions can also become more damaging when they are generalized, resulting in the destruction of lives and property. Incidents of this nature in previous elections are often planned and orchestrated by politicians, and the Nigerian military has so far been very cautious.
"However, this time, the Nigerian army will take a proactive stance to ensure that similar incidents do not even occur.
"Accordingly, in addition to my previous directives to you at the last Operations Conference, I wish to emphasize the following actions that all commanders must adhere to. Commanders must take decisive action against any electoral crime or action detrimental to national security.
"Commanders must ensure that they and their staff do not go to any politician at any level. In this regard, no politicians will be escorted by the army and all Nigerian army personnel must remain away from retired officers, especially those who are now politicians until after the elections.
"Commanders must conduct intensive patrols in their areas of responsibility. They must ensure that all flashpoints in the area are dominated.
"Commanders must, together with the Nigerian police force, enforce the restriction of movement in their areas of responsibility. All vehicles must be searched and suspicious persons or vehicles must be stopped / impounded and returned to the police.
"Commanders must be careful to enter the NA Election Security Watch Situation Room to send and receive near real-time information on events, as they occur in their areas of responsibility." responsibility.
"I have emphasized these points to remind everyone that this is a delicate period and that the NA must support Nigeria's march towards a sustainable democracy. During the conference, I will wait for each of you to comment on your preparations for the elections, as they relate to your different areas of responsibility.
"Our role in favor of democracy can not be overemphasized. therefore all hands must be on the bridge to ensure a successful exit for the next election. "
He thanked the President for what he called "his invaluable support to the Nigerian military to ensure the success of our various operations.
"The Nigerian military must remain fully committed to the defense of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Remember that the Nigerian military must continue to remain apolitical, professional and responsive in the exercise of its constitutional roles, "he said.
Why we will meet again, by COAS
The Chief of the Defense Staff reminded the army officers that the meeting had been convened to review the strategies adopted two weeks ago for the conduct of the general election. which, he noted, were postponed to a later date.
"You will all remember that just two weeks ago we had gathered here for an operations conference which aimed to establish a strategy on the role of the Nigerian army in the 2019 general elections, which were to start from February 16th.
"Unfortunately, the elections did not take place as planned and were postponed until February 23 and March 9. This change of date necessitated the revision of certain decisions taken at the last conference and the reiteration of certain directives. pbaded in the light of the postponement of the elections.
"First of all, let me remind you that Nigeria's unit is not negotiable. Therefore, those who seek to undermine our democracy by intervening in our electoral process must be considered enemies of Nigeria and treated appropriately.
"Our role is well described in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and we must defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria and act in the service of civil authorities when we ask them.
"Therefore, commanders must work with all stakeholders, interest groups and agencies to avoid any act on the part of an individual, group or entity that seeks to undermine our democratic process.
"As expected, Nigerians have expressed disappointment at the postponement of the elections. The postponement also increased the apprehension of the public and the international community with regard to voter safety and election materials.
"It is therefore vital that the Nigerian military, along with other security agencies, take up the challenge of ensuring a peaceful outcome at this general election in order to give confidence to Nigerian citizens and rebadure the international community of our process. electoral.
"In this light, I am delighted with the smooth activation of Operation Safe Conduct and the success of the Egwu Eke III operation. In addition, the recent launch of the election security monitoring room of the Nigerian army watch room will also guarantee the return of real-time information in the field.
"As we engage in these operations, we must remember that the military remains apolitical to ensure that no negative spraying is launched on the Nigerian army before, during or after the elections."
Atiku to COAS: Quit politics, fight the insurgency
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, through the spokesperson of the PDP campaign council, Kbadim Afegbua, said: "The Chief of Staff of the army must be guided appropriately by applicable international protocols and conventions, as well as other applicable laws concerning the conduct of elections. does not prescribe any role in the army.
"The army should devote its time and energy to fighting insurgency across the country instead of blowing hot air where there is none, just to create panic in the mind. Nigerians.
"It will be good to inform the SFOC that Nigerians will remain resolute before, during and after the elections to defend their constitutional rights to vote and be elected unhindered. Since then, we have alerted our supporters to the rule of law and their conduct in the labyrinth of the law during elections and the voting process. This country is so dear to us, which is why we will warn against any attempt to plunge it into an avoidable crisis. "
Do not politicize our military, warns PDP Buratai
The PDP, in a statement signed yesterday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, urged General Buratai to be guided by the provisions of the law in his statements, particularly with regard to democracy.
He said: "It is advised to General Buratai to note that the loyalty of the army is to the state and that the president does not have the power, under our laws, to deploy soldiers for the conduct of the elections.
"The PDP claims that Atiku Abubakar spoke about the law and the wishes of Nigerians and can not be intimidated by any organization, no matter how high-ranking it is.
"Our party urges General Buratai to focus on his very demanding task of protecting the territorial integrity of our country and ending the insurgency rather than engaging in partisan politics at the risk of our national cohesion.
"It is imperative to state that in attempting to train the army to participate in the presidential election on February 23, President Buhari plots to suspend our constitution," he said. to badume the function of emperor, to provoke troubles, to divert our electoral process and to derail our democracy.
Buhari does not have the power to deploy soldiers for the election – PDP
"The party addresses to President Buhari the judgment of the Federal High Court of Lagos of March 23, 2015, in which the court, chaired by Judge Ibrahim Buba, had banned the deployment of troops during the conduct of elections in our country.
"President Buhari should also avail himself of the current ruling of the Court of Appeals, which ruled on February 15, 2015 that the president had no power to deploy soldiers during the holding. d & # 39; elections.
"The PDP further advises President Buhari and General Buratai to end their streamlining of the military option, as the courts have summarily rejected their arguments that soldiers are needed to guarantee peaceful elections."
"It may be of interest to President Buhari to know that the ruling followed a lawsuit by APC party leader in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who sought to declare that the deployment of soldiers during the elections was illegal and unconstitutional.
"In the event that President Buhari ignores, as usual, the court declared that" the armed forces have no role to play in the elections "and that, if the soldiers must vote, they must do so in their barracks .
"The time has come for us to establish the culture of democratic rule in the country and start making the right choice, especially when it comes to managing the electoral process, which is one of the pillars of democracy.
"In spite of the behavior of the political clbad, we should absolutely try to prevent the armed personnel and the army from being an integral part of the electoral process.
"The state is forced to confine the military in their very demanding mission, especially in this period of insurgency by keeping them out of elections," said the court.
"Preparing the army before the elections thus accentuates the fear of APC plots to plunge our country into crisis and use the security forces to enslave Nigerians, knowing that President Buhari is not the only one in the world. has no chance of winning the February 23 presidential election.
"The PDP therefore urges President Buhari not to let his desperation drive him to corrupt the patriotism of our armed forces and use them against innocent Nigerians, whose only claim is the holding of free, fair and credible elections. . "
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