Reps defer debate on use of soldiers for polls

‎The federal house of representatives on Thursday deferred debate on the constitutionality of deploying soldiers to provide security during 2015 general election.

Aminu Tambuwal, speaker of the house, noted that the sensitivity of the issue called for caution and thoroughness.

He subsequently asked the committee chairmen of rules and business, and justice and judiciary to advise him on the matter.

Femi Gbajabiamila, house minority leader, had moved a motion asking the house to dissuade the federal government from deploying military personnel during the general election.

He hinged is argument on the judgment of Mohammed Rilwan, justice of a federal high court in Sokoto, declaring that it was unconstitutional for the federal government to deploy soldiers to monitor elections.

He noted that the maintenance of public safety and public order anywhere in Nigeria, including polling units and wards during elections, was the constitutional function of the Nigeria police force under sections 214 and 215 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Gbajabiamila also cited the involvement of the military in the alleged rigging of the June-2014 Ekiti gubernatorial election, calling on the house to “set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the role played by military personnel and any other person who featured in the said audio tape and report to the house within four days”.