The Enugu State House of Assembly on Tuesday moved a motion of urgent public importance urging the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to investigate and cause an enquiry into the role of the Military and Security Agencies in the March 18, 2023 Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections in Enugu State.
Presenting the motion at the Hallowed chamber, Dr. Chinedu Nwamba, member representing Nsukka East constituency accused the Military of illegal arrest and manhandling of members and supporters of the People Democratic Party agents, abduction of electoral officers, rigging of election results amongst others.
“Whereas, on the 17th of March 2023, Enugu State citizens woke up to notice the heavy deployment of combat-ready fierce-looking AK47 wielding Soldiers in all the Local Governments of the State as they were prowled about the roads and streets. Heavy armoured vehicles and high military armaments as though they were headed for war were also seen on the 18th March 2023 the day of the Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections.”
“Whereas, the senseless arrest, manhandling and fragrant intimidation especially of members and supporters of the ruling party during the elections to provide cover for the electoral heist that went down in the state calls for a deeper concern.”
“It was also more worrisome and ignoble how the armed forces and security agencies were enabling the electoral brigandage and frauds, including the abduction of electoral officers, the inflation of votes under duress, the barricading of collation centres especially in all the LGA Headquarters of INEC and refusing agents and officials of the ruling party entrance into the centres;”
“Whereas, other party agents and supporters had unfettered access to the centres where election results from various wards were rigged against the ruling party.”
The House further prayed, “That this Honourable House urges the National Assembly to confirm if an approval from her to deploy fully armed military personnel to Enugu State on the day of 18th march, 2023 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections was given?”
Recall that Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party was declared winner of the 2023 gubernatorial elections after some days’ suspension of collation of results;
Also, out of the 24 seats in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Labour Party won 14 while PDP won 9; elections for Oji River constituency will be re-conducted on the 15th of April 2023.
The 2023 election is the first election since 1999 that changed the narrative; PDP has always swept all the 24 seats in the House of Assembly and the governorship. Enugu state was known as PDP state.
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