A Nigerian Army Captain, who leaked
the audio evidence of how some top officials of the Federal Government
and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, used the Nigerian Army and other
security agencies to rig the governorship election in Ekiti and Osun
States last year, has spoken out about the matter.
In a statement entitled: “How
Nigerian Army personnel were used to rig Ekiti and Osun States
Gubernatorial Elections 2014″, Captain Sagir Koli gave details of all
that transpired between himself, his commanding officer, two ministers
and some politicians prior to the elections in Ekiti state.
He also spoke about the elaborate plans made to replicate the Ekiti scenario in Osun state last August.
See the full text of his submission below:
See the full text of his submission below:
Staff In Confidence
- How the Nigerian Army personal were used to Rig Ekiti and Osun States Gubernatorial Elections 2014.
1. I was officially deployed as the
32, Artillery Brigade Intelligence Officer to provide credible
Intelligence to the success of Ekiti State governorship election. At
about 20:30 hours on June 2014, a day to the election proper, the
commander, Brigadier General AA Momoh told me to escort him to a place
where the State Minister for Defence wanted to see him.
Reaching the place (Spotless Hotel
in Ado- Ekiti), which serves as coordinating campaign office for the PDP
candidate Mr. Ayodele Fayose, we met the Minister himself, Minister of
Police Affairs, Mr Fayose, Mr. Iyiola Omisore, one Honoruable
Abdulkareem and host of other top PDP chieftains.
The Outcome of what was discussed that gave the party victory during the election are as follows:
A. They told brigade commander that
they are on presidential assignment and they cannot afford to fail.
Also, they told him that they were there to remove any obstacles that
would block their victory and the commander is the key; therefore, he
has no option but to collaborate with them. They said, if the commander
play(ed) with them, his promotion is in their hands and the president
and the chief of army Staff would be very angry with him and he knows
what that means.
B. They directed that soldiers on
election duty must work hand in hand with the PDP agents and give them
all the necessary support they needed without limitation.
C. They ordered the arrest of
selected APC stalwarts that could greatly assist the party during the
election including the DG campaign organisation for Dr Fayemi Mr. Bimbo
Daramola. APC members in Ekiti State should be interviewed of what they
went through. We were forced to do a dirty job for them with a threat of
court martial.
D. They directed that soldiers must
block APC members’ access to the electorates but all PDP supporters’
movement anywhere using a designated sticker with inscription, “National
Security Task” it should be noted that some of these PDP agents were
given NYSC uniforms because we were well briefed by the commander.
E. Chief Chris Uba who also said he
was from the presidency entered Ado- Ekiti a day to the election
accompanied by 16 commissioned Army officers (Major and blow) led by
Major Ujung of 82 Base Ammunitions Depot from Nigeria Army 82 Division
Enugu. Their major task was to effect arrest and move secret materials
and money. This money was brought from CBN Umuahia.
F. Chief Chris Uba was physically
present with the soldiers and the commander at Forward Operational Base
(FOB) close to government house in Ado- Ekiti. He personally supervised
the movement of the strike force. This act of a civilian directing
military operation is highly unprofessional and tarnishing of the
military discipline and regimentation.
G. Chief Chris Uba entered Ado-Ekiti
a day to the election accompanied by military/police escort with 2
black tinted Hilux Vans with “secret” materials according to him. Items
inside the vans were 1000/500 Naria notes closed and cloned marked
ballot papers.
H. Chris Uba, Minster of police
Affairs, Obanikoro and Co said this is just a test run that should not
fail and its to be done in SS and SW states, moreover, Rivers State to
make sure Rotimi Ameachi bow to the federal government.
2. Based on the aforementioned, they
succeeded in rigging the Ekiti State election with victory in all the
16 LGAs. These really inspired them and they were with the euphoria that
same would happen in Osun State. In preparation of the plans, they
confirmed the posting of the commander and task him to prepare for Osun
State election (remember that Osun State is not part of 32 Artillery
Brigade Area of operations) but they ordered the Nigerian Army
Construction Engineers Commander Brigadier General Adeyemi to proceed
for 3 weeks compulsory leave until after the election just to pave way
for General Momah to repeat the same dirty work that he has done to them
in Ekiti State.
3. In build-up towards the Osun
State elections, the commander directed me as his intelligence officer
who has worked with him perfectly in Ekiti State to go ahead and recce
the area as well as familiarize myself with all stake holders for the
election.
While I and my team were working for
the operations, the commander was in Abuja re-strategizing how to use
the military to rig the elections. Feelers based on my discussion with
him on phone confirmed to me beyond reasonable doubt that we were
repeating the same compromise in Osun State. My heart got burnt and
become disenchanted and in total disagreement with such being
professional junior officer aspiring to become a General tomorrow.
4. However efforts to explain my
grievances prove abortive due to the military dictatorial hierarchy in
channel of communication vis a vis threat of court martial from the
commander. I resorted to alert the APC high level officials with the aim
of stopping Army from partisan involvement during election. A week to
the election, the commander came back from Abuja and he made revelations
being their final arrangement on how the PDP was to become victorious
in Osun state as follows:
A. After welcome address by the
commander, he thanked all his staff officers, and said “you all know who
we are working for, so you guys MUST follow my direction. I am working
for the presidency and the ruling party as you all know, is no longer a
hidden thing” for those of you who are moles among us, the presidency is
watching you, be careful because the consequence will be severe. I
learnt that some of you went to Lagos and met with Tinubu without
knowing that his line is already bugged at Abuja, then we are in
trouble, but before somebody will kill me I have to kill him first”
(referring to me). The commander asked how many of us were involved,
that I should say the truth, he now held a secret talk with the
operation officer and military police officer to tie and handcuff me to
Army HQs, from there I know that my life was in danger.
B. The commander categorically told
us that the soldiers were to work under PDP agents while their platoon
commanders only supervise the soldiers conduct. He briefed the officers
that were working the list of agents and those to be arrested at the SGF
office in Abuja and once the list is out everybody must work with
accordingly.
C. The commander briefed us on the
formation of a strike-force in conjunction with police, DSS and NSCDC
and he would command the strike force directly. Their duty was to work
directly with the PDP aspirant for arrest and intimidation of APC
supporters in their strong hold.
D. Money was shared openly at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Ede to the strike force to ensure compliance.
5. Having said all of the above, I must state before concluding that:
A, My brother Adamu Koli a 15yrs old
school boy was under detention since on the 2nd August 2014. The boy
stays with me at 32 Artillery Brigade Akure.
B. Brigadier General AM Dikko who
they consulted initially for the scam insisted that the army must remain
professional and apolitical, was disgracefully removed from his command
which he served only for 7 months just to allow General Momoh to carry
out the dirty work.
6. Last but not the least, to
further substantiate my submission and how my dear-loving,
hard-achieving noble calling was de-professionalized; here is the
recorded voices of the Ministers, the aspirant and the Brigade
Commander. Other officers present at the hotel were Major Aliyu and
captain Adegoke who were also part of the officers that escorted
commander to the venue where the compromise was made. Also conversation
between the commander and Abuja could be traced via MTN, GLO, on the
under listed phone numbers (between 20-21 June 2014).
A. 08037033694
B. 08055832835
7,Lastly, in order to strengthen the
unity and continue existence of Nigeria, I call on the federal
Government to desist from using the military for partisan politics. This
is to avoid the military from being divided along ethnic and regional
lines which is dangerous to the defence of the nation. I remain a
patriotic Nigerian and a loyal professional Army officer,
God bless you all
Thank you for listening. Captain Sagir Koli
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