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Femi Adi/Kaduna
The Nigerian Army panel of investigating the alleged involvement of soldiers in the 2014 and 2015 elections across the country on Monday commenced sitting in Kaduna.
The panel has the General Officer Commanding , Headquarters One Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade as its President. Colonel Danladi Salihu is the Secretary of the panel. Other members include; Brigadier General Emmanuel Kabuk, Brigadier General Sunday Araoye, and Brigadier General Baba Ibrahim.
In an interview with journalists today , President of the panel, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade called on individuals with useful information about the 2015 election issue to visit the panel and testify accordingly.
Though he said the enquiry is purely a military affair, Oyebade urged the public to feel free to give information .
“As most of you are aware, the last general elections conducted in March 2015 elicited criticism in some quarters, especially from the general public, particularly on conduct of Nigerian Army personnel during both the gubernatorial and presidential elections respectively, ” he said.
According to him, the allegations were centred on the gubernatorial elections conducted in some States such as Ekiti, Osun in 2014 , Rivers and Akwa-Ibom and other states in 2015.
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, on assumption of Command articulated his vision of having a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles. He therefore instituted this Board of Inquiry.
Oyebade also hinted that the panel will investigate these allegations and recommend appropriate measures to prevent a reoccurrence in the future.