March 9 Polls: PDP Accuses APC of Plotting to Deploy Military in South-South

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to use the military to intimidate voters in South-South states ahead of the March 9, 2019 governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

The PDP alleged that the planned military deployment was targeted particularly at states considered its strongholds, including Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan described the alleged move as provocative and warned against the militarisation of the electoral process.

According to the party, the deployment was intended to suppress voters and influence election results in favour of the APC.

Ologbondiyan further alleged that the military had been used during the February 23 presidential election to intimidate voters and manipulate results in some areas considered PDP strongholds.

He claimed that some APC leaders in the South-South had openly boasted that security forces would help the party secure victories in the governorship elections.

The PDP, however, reiterated its commitment to peaceful elections while warning that residents of the Niger Delta should not be subjected to intimidation or suppression.

The party urged security agencies to maintain neutrality and ensure that voters were allowed to exercise their franchise without fear.

Defence Headquarters Rejects Allegations

Reacting to the allegations, the Defence Headquarters insisted that the Nigerian Armed Forces remained apolitical and non-partisan.

Its spokesman, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, said the military’s constitutional responsibility was to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and provide assistance to civil authorities when required.

He stressed that the military was not the lead security agency during elections but only performed a supporting role.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is apolitical and non-partisan,” Nwachukwu said.

He urged politicians and political parties to stop dragging the military into partisan political disputes.

According to him, the Armed Forces would continue to maintain neutrality and carry out its constitutional responsibilities professionally.