Nigeria lawmakers, on Tuesday, were divided on the legality of the President to deploy the country’s military during elections, the latest being the Ekiti state governorship elections.
The disagreement is as a result of fallout of further debates at the House Of Representatives on a bill seeking to further amend the Electoral Act of 2010.
House Deputy Leader, Leo Ogor and Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Albert Sam-Tsokwa were of the opinion that the powers of the President to deploy troops is backed by the 1999 Constitution as well as Section 8 of the Armed Forces Act, which they said gave the President the proxy and powers to deploy troops for operational use.
“We all know that this is a constitutional issue. The President can deploy troops for operations; it is his prerogative,” Ogor said.
This however, drew a harsh response from House Minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila who insisted that the powers were not absolute and that the President can only exercise such powers subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
“This Electoral Act is a law of the National Assembly. It will, therefore, mean that soldiers can be used in the way stipulated by this Act,” he said during the Wednesday’s session, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Emeka Ihedioha.
Also speaking, the Minority Whip, Mr. Samson Osagie, decried the use of the Armed Forces for election duties. He stated that the deployment of soldiers for “operational reasons” envisaged in the constitution was for the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, and not for elections.
“Election is not war; it is a civic activity. Our regular security agencies, particularly, the police, can be deployed for election duties and it stops there,” he said.
In the meantime, the Bill seeking to further amend the Electoral Act, No.6 of 2010 passed second reading in the House after much debate.
The Bill seeks to ensure a level playing field for all participants in the electoral process as well as ensure a more transparent process of conducting elections in Nigeria.
The Bill has been referred to the House Committee on Electoral Matters for further legislative input.
