Adequate Security Will Be Guaranteed During 2015 Election – Army

The Nigerian Army High Command yesterday gave an assurance of adequate security during the forthcoming general election as its contribution towards ensuring that the exercise is free and fair.

Addressing Defence Correspondents at the Army Headquarters, the director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig-Gen. Olajide Laleye, said the Nigerian Army will support all agencies of government and carry out directives of the federal government to ensure that 2015 elections are successfully conducted.

“We will act in accordance with lawful agencies that are empowered to do so. Equally, the Nigerian Army seizes this opportunity to reassure Nigerians of its preparedness to support relevant agencies in the successful conduct of the 2015 general election”, Laleye stated.

He expressed the Army’s optimism that contrary to speculations, “the 2015 election will be the most peaceful, free and fair election”, as the military will do everything constitutional to make it so.

He also assured of peaceful elections in the Boko Haram war-torn North East region.

Speaking on the death sentence handed down to soldiers tried for mutiny by the General Court Martial (GCM), Laleye said that it is not within the powers of the Nigerian Army to review the judgement of the GCM which has the status of a High Court, and charged the aggrieved soldiers to go on appeal.

“The success of the Nigerian Army in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency and indeed, other operations are hinged on troops’ discipline, professionalism and patriotism.

“Our achievements will be difficult to sustain if the Army does not undertake decisive steps to ensure it remains a formidable fighting force through time tested procedures, processes and the enforcement of its regulations and laws in line with the constitution.

“Therefore, as at today, there are three ongoing General Court Martials sitting in Abuja, Lagos and Jos. These General Court Martials are trying erring officers and soldiers for various offences. Some of the erring officers and soldiers have been sentenced while others have been acquitted according to military jurisprudence.

“The judicial process that led to the convictions and acquittals followed international best practices in military law and also conforms to relevant Nigerian laws.

“This is contrary to insinuations in the media which suggest that due process has not been followed in the trial of officers and soldiers.

“Let me state categorically that a General Court Martial has the status of the High Court and is backed by extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The General Court Martial is not a final authourity. Its processes are not only subject to confirmation by the appropriate superior authourities but also subject to appeal. Therefore, it is erroneous and mischievous to create the impression that pronouncements arising from the General Court Martial are an aberration or do not follow due process”, Laleye said.

He added that the outcome of the GCM has helped the Army in achieving the present level of victory against the Boko Haram insurgents, as seen in the reclaiming of Gombi, Hong, Uba, Makera, Mubi, Holma and Vimtim, amongst other towns in the North East.

Laleye said that the troops’ fighting spirit is quite higher now, vowing that there is no territory of Nigeria that will remain in the hands of the insurgents.

According to him, the military had perfected plans to ensure a hitch-free new year celebration, urging the citizens to be patient with military checkpoints as these have yielded more results and advantages in spite of the perceived disadvantages.

Source: Leadership.ng