Although the Federal Government reiterated yesterday that it would not deploy troops in Ekiti State for tomorrow’s governorship rerun, men in military uniform have arrived Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
THISDAY learnt that they arrived the city around 4.30pm in two Toyota Hilux Vans and a truck with the emblem of the Nigerian Army.
Their arrival caused quite a stir along Ado-Ekiti-Akure road, the route through which they entered town.
The mission of the soldiers was not stated, although military authorities told THISDAY last night that the presence of the troops was not for the election.
Former governor Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Congress (AC) candidate Kayode Fayemi will slug it out in 10 local government areas of the state in the poll that has generated intense national interest.
The AC had alleged that the PDP wanted to use soldiers to rig the election.
Only two days ago, the Presidency foreclosed the idea of deploying troops in Ekiti for the poll, saying requests that soldiers be deployed for the poll would not be granted.
But Director of Army Public Relations Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade told THISDAY last night that the army headquarters was aware of the arrival of the soldiers in Ekiti.
“The Army Headquarters is aware of the presence of soldiers in Ekiti State. Their going there should not be politicised; it is not about elections. Their being there is purely for security reasons,” he said.
Olukolade said in line with the presidential directive, the army was not deploying troops in Ekiti and that the soldiers were there for some other reasons.
“I can confirm to you that the soldiers would not be on the streets on the day of the election. Soldiers would be on standby in the barracks but police would provide security for the election,” he said, maintaining that the soldiers that were seen were “probably on their way to a training programme or something related to that”.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, also said there was no directive to the military to deploy troops for the rerun.
He said: “There is no fresh directive to any military formation to deploy troops to Ekiti for the re-run. There won’t be troop deployment in any form. The President stands by his word on that.
“In fact as from 06.00 hours on Friday, all soldiers on security-related duties in the state will be withdrawn. The President does not want soldiers to play any role whatsoever during the poll
“All commanders of various military formations have been once again directed not to deploy troops to Ekiti under any guise.
“The President is insisting on a free and fair poll. He has also directed the Police to discharge their duties during the election without favour to any party.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had reportedly canvassed deployment of troops for the poll, maintaining that the Police might not be able to ensure peace and security during the election.
And as the electioneering campaign for the rerun came to an end yesterday, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has charged the people of the state to come out enmasse to cast their votes for Oni.
President Yar’Adua was not at Oni’s final rally but was represented by Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan.
The colourful rally held at Ido-Osi Local Government area of the state, Oni’s local government, attracted PDP governors from the South-west, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and other party stalwarts.
Apart from Jonathan, other dignitaries at the rally were PDP National Chairman Vincent Ogbulafor, Senate President David Mark, former National Vice -Chairman, South Olabode George and his successor, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipupo.
The PDP governors from the South-west included Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) and Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi and former Ondo State governor Olusegun Agagu.
Jonathan who stated that he personally brought President Yar’Adua’s special message said: “When you take a look at the calibre of people campaigning for PDP in Ekiti, then you know that PDP is formidable. PDP is for Ekiti and Ekiti is for PDP. You all have watched PDP campaigns in Ekiti; you have also watched other parties’ campaign in Ekiti and you can make out the difference. Therefore we have no reason to be afraid of losing the rerun.
“There are rumours of people being mobilised to cause problems – there will be no problem in Ekiti State. People will come out this Saturday and vote peacefully in their various polling units and they will vote for PDP because PDP controls the state and no one can take the state from PDP.”
Ogbulafor thanked President Yar’Adua for sending Jonathan, whom he described as the only begotten son of the President to Ekiti to bring his message to the people of the state.
He said Oni “is their son in Ekiti who they overwhelmingly voted for in 2007,” asking the people to repeat the feat they performed two years ago.
All the three governors that spoke one after the other- Oyinlola, Daniel and Alao-Akala- reiterated the need for the people of the state to vote Oni again.
Oyinlola, who used the occasion to deny the allegation that he met with some chairmen of local governments in the state to plan how to rig the poll by organising fake soldiers for them, rained curses on those behind the issue.
He said: “If it is true that I, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, met with any chairmen to plan how to bring soldiers to Ekiti as alleged by the AC and its chairman, Awe, all the woes (egun) in the book of Psalm 109 be mine, but if I did not, it should be on Awe.”
Acting Governor Tunji Odeyemi of the state promised to use his office to ensure the rerun contest was free and fair for all parties involved.
He, however, affirmed that Oni’s performance in the last two years was enough reason for anyone to vote for him on Saturday
Oni told the people that the rerun had presented another opportunity for Ekiti to continue with what he started; saying what he did in 20 months surpassed what was done in 20 years by past governments in the state.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed fears over the possible influx of thugs from neighbouring states to Ekiti for the rerun.
The commission said from available evidence, the overbearing tension generated in the build-up to the re-run was as a result of undue external influence.
INEC National Commissioner Phillip Umeadi (Jnr), who spoke with THISDAY on the outcome of the stakeholders’ meeting between the commission and the 13 political parties contesting the election, however, said the disposition of the people of the state towards the election was cordial and positive.
Leaders of the political parties contesting the supplementary elections were present at the stakeholders’ forum with INEC.
According to Umeadi (Jnr), there was no tension in the exchange between the contending parties at the forum.
But he said: “We are very worried about the whole idea of cross border thuggery. From all indications, the problems and tensions across Ekiti State with campaigns and preparation for the supplementary election at the moment come from outside the state. The commission is pleading with outside influence and interests to leave the state alone to decide its future.”
Speaking further, Umeadi (Jnr) said necessary machinery were in place to ensure that the rerun is conducted in a free and fair transparent manner.
Apr242009