By Emmanuel Asuquo in Calabar
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River is said to lobbying the army command in Calabar to deploy a contingent of soldiers to Akpabuyo, Ogoja and Yala communities ahead of Saturday, February 26, 2022 ahead of by-elections.
Ayade is said to be determined to ensure that his party, APC, and their candidates win the election by hook or crook.
Investigations by our reporter revealed that the Governor at about 9:00am this morning stormed the office of the Brigade Commander impressing it on him to deploy military personnel and Operation Akpagwu to the Akpabuyo, Ogoja and Yala local governemnt areas where the election is holding.
Ayade is said to have pleaded with the Commander that there is urgent need for the army to take over the security of the election, especially Ogoja and Yala, ostensibly to give his party some protections and safe passage.
He is said to have expressesd dismay at the conduct of Nigerian police and DSS operatives who are not ready to be compromised ahead of the election.
The Governor felt disappointed that the police command could not stop the PDP rally held on Saturday neither could they stop Governor Nyesom Wike from entering the state.
So afraid of free and fair election, he wants the Commander to deploy a crack team of hundreds of soldiers at strategic locations allegdely to intimidate and harrass voters especially in areas where he feels his party might not have their way.
Situation reports from the fields have shown that PDP is having an upper hand and the Governor feels worried about the development and therefore determined to push his candidates through this time round for fear of defeat.
Already the news of plan to depoly soldiers is already causing apprehension among residents of these area.
There are also fears that deploying soldiers is capable of creating voter apathy and subsequent rigging of the elections.
