Jonathan May Sanction Obanikoro, Others Over Security Abuse - Politics

Jonathan may sanction Obanikoro, others over security abuse

Posted by: Gbade Ogunwale

President Goodluck Jonathan may sanction some ministers and aides for jumping the gun in the campaign for the 2015 elections and misuse of soldiers for political advantage.

Dr Jonathan is said to have received reports in which top military chiefs complained about the abuse of security by the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

Our correspondent learnt last night that the military high command expressed reservations about the minister’s use of soldiers in land matters between the Federal Government and Lagos State Government.

The military top brass were also said to have complained to the President about “the inappropriate use of soldiers for a local election” in Ondo State on the orders of Obanikoro.

A Presidency source, who addressed some reporters in Abuja last night, confirmed that Jonathan received briefs from the military high command and that the President was not taking the report lightly.

The source, who spoke in confidence because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, explained that Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko also complained about Obanikoro’s conduct during the election which ended in a stalemate in the state.

Mimiko was said to have laid the blame for the violence that characterised the House of Representatives bye-election at the minister’s doorsteps.

Obanikoro, the governor said, conducted himself in manners unbefitting of a minister.

Dr Jonathan and Mimiko are known to have enjoyed a cordial political relationship even though Mimiko is of the Labour Party (LP) while the President leads the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The source said: “The use of soldiers or any other security personnel during elections has to be authorised. In this case, I doubt if it was so. Our preliminary, though informal, findings show that the minister was indeed in Ondo State to campaign for the PDP.

“The issue here is whether he was right or wrong to have gone to another state, outside his state, to campaign. This is serious because any act of violence or irregularity could be blamed on him, that he prepared the ground for such. It is also being interpreted in some quarters to mean that the President has unleashed his men on the opposition.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr President will not, and does not have such attributes. He is a gentleman who wants his party to win under clear circumstances and not through tainted means.

“So, in his readiness to avoid a recurrence, the President has asked that all ministers, and even aides who are not from states where elections are being held, should not go near campaign grounds of such states, except otherwise directed by him or the national leadership of the PDP.”

The Presidency source added that Dr Jonathan was worried because the opposition might be forced to launch a counter-move against the minister’s action with hired thugs.

More disturbing to the President, the source added, is the security situation in the country, with militia groups and disgruntled former Niger Delta militants who may become willing tools for electoral violence.

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