As the nation builds up to Saturdays Presidential and national assembly elections, The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has issued a strong warning to politicians, political groups and their supporters against violent incitement or perpetrating acts of violence to desist from such or be decisively dealt with before, during and after the general elections.
Gen Minimah gave this warning on Wednesday at Army Headquarters (AHQ), Abuja, while fielding questions from journalists during the press organised by the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) on the activities of the Nigerian Army.
He said that the military in collaboration with the other security agencies have already concluded plans on the security of the country at all times, including the general elections.
The Army Chief, while reacting to the recent court rulings barring the military from participation in the forthcoming elections, said that their deployment does not conflict with the provisions of the law.
He said: "This is not the first elections in Nigeria and Army has been deployed previously. Have you seen soldiers at the polling units, booths or interfering with the election materials.
"Regarding the deployment of soldiers during the elections, the armed forces, the police and other security agencies have made the necessary security arrangements before, during and after the elections."
"I do not envisage any issue because this is just an elections and it will come and go though we know that there are also elements within the political class that would not want a normal election process to come and be put behind us. I will therefore appeal to the politicians and their followers to keep the peace, maintain the peace and ensure a violence free election", he urged.
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