Don’t be intimidated by PDP blackmail, pro Buhari group tells Army

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has asked the Nigerian Army not to give in to blackmail by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but ensure adequate security through the country during this weekend’s governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.

The group said inspite of the subtle blackmail by the PDP, the military and other security agencies should not back down in their resolve to with potential election riggers and their sponsors during Saturday’s governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections across the country.

In a statement signed by Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the BMO expressed support for the strong resolve of the Army authorities to be tough on political thugs and armed militias during Saturday’s gubernatorial and states’ Houses of Assembly elections.

The group said “We are aware of the subterfuge of opposition elements that even before the elections were bent on tarnishing the image of every national institution that has any role to play in the electoral process, no matter how remote.

“After months of muck-raking and pot-shots at the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the run up to the elections, PDP leaders have now shifted attention to the military over perceived bias.

“But this is the same Army that was not reported to have encroached on polling centres during the Presidential election and was highly praised by international election observers.

“And now that it has vowed to be tougher on potential trouble makers, we join millions of Nigerians to express support for the Army in its determination to stem the tide of violence witnessed in some states on February 23″.

They also commend plans by the Air Force authorities to provide air cover for security operations on Election Day, adding that this was necessary in view of revelations by of the Army of plans by some politicians to unleash armed militia men as well as use the farmers-herders crisis to disrupt elections in some parts of the country.

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BMO said: “Nigerians cannot afford to ignore an intelligence report publicly announced by the Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, so it is gratifying that his counterpart in the Air Force, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has put some air assets on standby for deployment in flash point states.

“We also hope that there would be strong inter-security cooperation between patrolling members of the armed forces and the Police which is backed by law to be at polling centres especially in states prone to electoral violence”.

The group urged Nigerians to continue to support the Buhari administration as it continues its people oriented programmes towards taking Nigeria and Nigerians to the Next Level.

The group expressed joy that Nigerians recognised the numerous achievements of the Buhari administration, hence the massive support they gave him at the presidential election, adding that the administration’s achievements in the three core areas of fight against corruption, revival of the economy and provision of security across the country have endeared the President to the Nigerian people, said BMO.

“As a group we are witnesses to the various efforts the Buhari administration has been making towards restoring Nigeria to the path of economic growth, infrastructural development and food security.

“We are also gratified to note that presently Nigeria has emerged as a major rice producer globally based on the deliberate agricultural policies embarked upon by the administration since coming to power on May 29th 2015. This approach has also guaranteed food security for Nigerians as well as reduced poverty in the country.

“We implore the president not to be distracted by the antics of the opposition, but to remain focused at delivering on his campaign promises to all Nigerians.”