Group Condemns Deployment Of Soldiers For Edo Gov Election…Seeks Their Withdrawal By President Jonathan

The Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) condemns in very strong terms the crude, barbaric and satanic poll manipulative purported deployment of about 3500 soldiers to Edo state during the gubernatorial polls scheduled for Saturday July 14, 2012 and demands the immediate rescindment of this anti democratic policy by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
 
We are very much aware of the fact that constitutionally, soldiers can only be deployed to places where there is total breakdown of law and order due to the inability of civil security apparatus to curtail such crisis. Therefore, we are at a loss as to any justifiable and democratic reasons for this troop’s deployment to a peaceful state in which the citizens just want to exercise their fundamental human rights to choose who will preside over their affairs in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation and harassment which this deployment of army of occupation is meant to achieve.
 
CPPM is also aware that the number of soldiers being deployed to Edo state to violate the democratic principles of free and fair elections far surpasses the number of soldiers deployed to even Boko Haram affected states in which security has broken down and so we wonder the purpose of this policy other than to cause mayhem
 
The deployment of these soldiers of war to a peaceful state like Edo in this times of exercising one’s franchise is a clear instance of the violation of the rights of Edo citizens as guaranteed under the 1999 constitution and a further confirmation of executive rascality by the Jonathan administration which has never hidden its disdain for the citizenry and its entrenched practice of violating the constitution at will which must be condemned and challenged.
 
We equally want to use this medium to alert the Nigerian people that the grand design of this deployment of forces of occupation is to rig the forthcoming election in Edo state in favour of the anointed candidate of his imperial majesty in Aso Rock which must be condemned and resisted by all progressive interest individuals and groups.
 
We are hereby using this medium to call on the National Assembly and the Nigerian people to immediately call President Goodluck Jonathan to order by prevailing on him to stop his continued policy of militarization of our democratic space by withdrawing his forces of occupation and allow the good people of Edo state to determine their destiny without the threat of forces of war. Anything contrary, would be tantamount to a declaration of war on Nigeria citizens by her government in a time of exercising their God given franchise.
 
A word is enough for the wise
 
Thanks,
 
 
Your’s Faithfully,
 
 
Nelson Ekujumi,
Executive Chairman,
Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM).