News
Fix PDP Fix Nigeria Group Opposes Deployment of Soldiers to Zamfara Bye-Election, Calls for Recall of Soldiers
Joel Ajayi
The political advocacy group Fix PDP, Fix Nigeria has condemned the planned deployment of soldiers to Zamfara State for the bye-election scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, warning that such militarization of the electoral process undermines democratic norms.
In a statement signed by Aminu Muktar from Katsina State, the group called on the Chief of Army Staff to immediately recall the soldiers back to the barracks, stressing that elections are a civil matter and not a war.
“Election is a civil matter and not war. We need our soldiers fighting bandits and insurgents in many places where farmers cannot access their farms, children cannot go to school, businesses are shut down, and people travel in fear of kidnappers and being killed,” the statement read.
The group expressed concern that while ordinary Nigerians are under siege from rising insecurity across the North-West and North-East, the Army is being drawn into electoral assignments, diverting attention from its primary responsibility of protecting the country from internal and external threats.
Fix PDP Fix Nigeria argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and other civil security agencies are constitutionally mandated to provide election security, and that dragging the military into politics sends a dangerous signal about the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
The statement further urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to ensure that soldiers are deployed only where national security demands their presence, not for elections, insisting that “our democracy must be defended by civil institutions, while our soldiers defend our borders and fight insecurity.”
With the Zamfara bye-election expected to draw close attention, civil society groups and observers have also raised concerns about the increasing militarization of polls in Nigeria.
News
Tinubu, PDP Hail Gov Okpebholo’s Road Infrastructural Revolution in Edo
Joel Ajayi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the infrastructural strides of Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, particularly the ongoing construction of the state’s first-ever flyover bridge, describing it as a landmark intervention in easing urban traffic and modernizing Edo’s transport system.
The President extolled the governor’s foresight in embarking on the one-kilometre flyover project at Ikpoba Hill in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, noting that its completion would transform vehicular movement and strengthen the urban fabric of Benin City.
Tinubu praised Okpebholo’s early performance in office, affirming that the governor had set a new standard of governance in Edo.
The president represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, emphasized that the governor’s bold approach to road and bridge construction in the State underscores the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) progressive agenda.
“This is a 24-span structure, each span measuring 20 meters, amounting to a one-kilometre bridge. The quality and pace of work are impressive. Edo is witnessing a first, and I believe more such projects should follow in Benin City to address the heavy traffic,” Umahi conveyed on behalf of the President.
The Minister contrasted the efficiency of state-driven projects with some federal contracts, lamenting that contractors often display greater discipline when working under governors than when handling federal assignments.
He pledged to enforce stricter accountability standards at the federal level to ensure value for money and timely delivery.
“I commend Governor Okpebholo for insisting on concrete technology. Roads built with reinforced concrete last 50 to 100 years, saving scarce resources. Nigeria cannot continue to spend on recurring reconstruction. We must invest in durability,” Umahi stressed.
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