The ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State has charged the security agencies, especially the Nigeria Army, to be wary of dragging themselves into any partisanships in politics. The party advised the Nigeria Army Headquarters Abuja, to make sure her officers and men in Akwa Ibom, maintain untainted professionalism and civilized conduct, before, during and after the upcoming Gubernatorial and State Assemblies elections. According to the party, any attempts by any parties to disrupt the will of the voter may lead to more consequences than the nation can attend. Nigeria, it warned is not a banana republic and should not be treated as such.
In the release signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, warned that any attempts by the Nigeria Army and or any security agency to intimidate or compromise the elections is a direct assault on democracy and constitutionalism. Ememobong therefore advised General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, to make sure that it is not under his command that national soldiers turned partisan. Ememobong further canvassed that the worst historical disgrace Buratai may suffer is if the Nigeria Army under him is recorded as having helped trigger the collapse or compromise of the peoples democracy. So everything must be done by the Army High Command, under Buratai, to insist on civilized conduct of its men and officers.
In a related development, the party also directed the Nigeria Army to full notice of the postings on the social media handle of an opposition gubernatorial candidate. The party asked when it became the duty of a candidate to advertise the Army Operation Show of Force? Is the army lacking in funds or expertise to push its own social media agenda? Also the party publicity secretary advised the army to withdraw soldiers attached to APC candidates and politically exposed persons. The duty of civil security belongs to the police not the army, he said.