With elections due on Saturday for governors in 29 states and local assemblies, campaigners say the military cast a dark shadow over last month’s vote for the presidency and legislature.
IFN convener May Uneku blamed last month’s low voter turnout — just 35 percent — on the heavy presence of troops in the streets. The February 23 vote, which also chose legislators for the National Assembly, was marred by violence that claimed at least 53 lives and many more wounded. The army has no official role in providing election security but can provide armed back-up to the police if required.In the runup to the vote, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered soldiers to be “ruthless” with ballot box snatchers.That ruffled feathers in the opposition camp, sparking accusations that it was a “licence to kill” and calls for the order to be withdrawn.
He said soldiers had laid a siege on the riverine town, forcing thousands to flee to Port Harcourt, the state capital.Tensions are running high in Rivers, which has a history of political violence, after the Supreme Court ruled that candidates from Buhari’s All Progressives Congress could not run because of procedural irregularities.