Deployment Of Military Ensured Peaceful Elections In C/River-PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) call against the deployment of military in the state for the elections was a self-serving move.
Chairman of the Party in Cross River state , Venatius Ikem Esq stated this while speaking with newsmen in Calabar on Wednesday.
He said that the party had it on good authority that the APC, in an alleged connivance with the Police, have written a petition against the deployment of military for the governorship polls.
The PDP Chairman who described allegations against the military as baseless, said the presence of the military doused the tension and checked intended violence that would have been carried out by those allegedly recruited to cause violence adding that the APC was looking for excuses for its loss.
Ikem said: ” What we want in Cross River is adequate security , anyone who participated in this election would agree that the Military personnel on duty during elections were most professional in the discharge of the responsibilities.
“Anyone you hear crying foul has something to hide , because the personnels never got close to the polling Units talk more of the booths.
“They made sure there was no violence of any sort , neither did they leave room for eventualities as they were proactive before , during and after the exercise.
“The issue was not politicised in any way. The military were neutral and picked up anyone they suspected and were subsequently handed over to the police for prosecution.
“The ruling Party would rather prefer to have a field day where they will harass, intimidate and if possible maim people so they can win elections as they did in the by- elections and are speaking up against the presence of the military.
“The APC chairman and the governor lost elections in almost every polling unit in the north. It was a very embarrassing loss and they have to look for some excuse to give to sustain how a chairman/governor lost so woefully.
“In the north, their plan was violence and we have been complaining about this. We thank God the security apparatus of the country had taken certain flash points.
“In Cross River North, this prevented a lot of violence that was planned and that completely removed the strength they relied on”, Ikem stated.
PDP chairman disclosed that they are aware that APC and some top members of top police command had written petition against deployment of military, calling on federal government to discontented such frivolous petition.
He said soldiers were deployed across the state and wondered how come it was only in Cross River North that soldiers stopped them from winning.
The APC state chairman, Alphonsus Eba Esq. had earlier condemned the presence of the military in the state during the polls on the 25th of February, especially in the Northern Senatorial District accusing some retired military officers of collusion.
