Off-cycle election: Military vows to go after unknown gunmen planning to disrupt polls

Ahead of the off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has issued a fierce warning to armed men planning to disguise in military wears to cause violence in the Saturday poll

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, vowing that there would be injurious consequences for their actions.

The Major General vowed that the Nigerian military will not fold its arms and watch the non-state actors to dictate for the nation and further drag its image into the mud during Saturday’s election.

“For the off-season elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states this weekend, here is a message for you. The military is deployed in strength for the election to create a safe environment for voters to peacefully come out and cast their votes.

“However, we are aware of plans of some to disguise in military gear to orchestrate havoc and disrupt elections in some areas.

“Our message to such a group is that there will be injurious consequences for such an action. The military will not fold its arms and watch its image dragged to the mud,” he said.

In another development, the Peoples Democratic Party has cautioned the All Progressives Congress, to bury any plan of rigging as the Saturday elections’ governorship elections draw close.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party is ready to protect their votes by all means.

The statement read, “Meanwhile, the PDP cautions that the delay by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to redeploy the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Sylvia Agu, is heightening tension and capable of pushing the people to resort to self-help.

“We are in a democracy and INEC must respect the wishes and aspirations of the people and stakeholders in the electoral process. The people of Imo State have spoken clearly in demanding that Prof. Agu must not participate in any capacity whatsoever in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo State, given her antecedents in favoring the APC in previous elections.

“The PDP is marching to victory with the people of Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo States notwithstanding the antics of the APC.”