The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has asked the Nigerian Army to fish out politicians who are buying fake army uniforms for touts for the purpose of rigging elections.
The Governor spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital, when the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division of Nigeria, Enugu, General A.C. Maikobi, visited him at the Government House.
He stated that it was worrisome hearing stories of politicians sowing fake army uniforms for touts in order to use them during the elections.
Describing such politicians as enemies of democracy, the governor called on the military to assist in making the 2019 general elections free and fair.
Okorocha said, “You have been posted at a critical time in the period of electioneering. We request that the military should do the needful to ensure free and fair election.
“I have no doubt that the army will do the needful by ensuring free conduct of these elections.
“We are not unmindful of the fact that some unpopular and unpatriotic politicians sow Army, Police and Navy uniforms and give them to touts or hoodlums to use during elections.
“I urge the army to start by fishing out these unpatriotic politicians and ensure that they get the kind of punishment they deserve to help our democracy.
“One of the major problems we have as a nation is that people who are not chosen by the people are seen holding public offices because they won through the backyards.
“This is the major problem of our democracy. I urge you to correct this aspect of our democracy by ensuring free and fair poll.
“In Imo State, going by public opinion the people already know who will be their governor, Senators, House of Representatives etc.
“They know all of them by the way they pronounce them and their actions but sometimes it comes to them as a rude shock when somebody they never expected, emerges and the person did so through manipulations.
“This is a time for all hands to be on deck and ensure that our democracy is saved.
“We have all agreed that democracy is the best way of government but in this present democracy comes a lot of problems. It brings hatred, gossips, bickering and all forms of evil activities.
“I want to urge all Nigerians to know that no matter what happens, we are members of this one family called Nigeria and we are duty bound to protect the integrity of Nigeria.”
Comments