THE Nigerian Army said on Thursday that it would be involved in the 2015 general elections based on the provisions of the law, just as it warned political thugs to steer clear from the exercise.
The 2 Brigade Commander/Sector 2 Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, Brigadier General Koko Essien, who made this remark in Port Harcourt while speaking with newsmen, said the military and other security agents will not condone any act of political thuggery during the exercise.
Essien observed the level volatility in the security situation in Rivers State and disclosed that the military was strategising to ensure that the 2015 election was conducted without hitch.
He urged the people of the state to feel free to come out and exercise their franchise on the day of election, promising that adequate security measures would be put in place.
“We will be involved in the election to the extent that is allowed by law. We are having meeting with INEC and we are going to support INEC based on the requirement of the law. We are going to support the police based on the areas they (police) are lacking. If the law says we are not going to be at the polling booths, we will not be there.
“We have had incidences of political thuggery. Different political groups have carried out certain actions that are inimical to the smooth conduct of the upcoming elections. Besides that, there has been some increase in the level of kidnapping on our waterways and sea piracy of course.
“So, we are seeing a trend whereby there is a lot of volatility in the security situation in Rivers State and we are doing everything and strategising to make sure things work in the state.
“First of all, to make sure that people are able to live and go about their businesses and secondly, to reassure the population that come March 28 and April 11, 2015, people should feel very free to vote the candidates of their choice.
“The security services and specifically, the military will not condone any act of political thuggery or any action by anybody in the state aimed at frustrating well-meaning citizens from going out to vote during the elections.
“On the elections, we have a mandate to support for the election to provide security both on land and on the waterways based on the provisions of the constitution. We will do everything within our means to ensure that people are safe and vote without intimidation,” Essien, who recently assumed his current position, said.
