Ahead of the rerun elections in Abia State, a group of youth under the aegis of Nigerian Youth Congress, has raised the alarm of plans by some top military brass to deploy military personnel for the conduct of the elections, contrary to an Abuja High Court order restraining the Army from participating in the 2015 polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) had declared April 11 gubernatorial election in the state inconclusive due to some irregularities.

Commenting on the development, President, Nigerian Youth Congress, Comrade. Yakubu Shendam said the heavy presence of the military in Abia during the April 11 elections was alarming.

“Despite the Court injunction restraining the military from participating in the 2015 general elections, the case of Abia was different as military men were seen harassing people. If soldiers were not used in other states, why should Abia be an exception?

“We therefore appeal to the military authorities working in collaboration with some retired military top brass in the state to give peace a chance. Let the Army concentrate o its primary responsibility of defending the country from foreign aggressors and allow the police take care of internal security,” Shendam said.

According to the youth leader, they had sufficient information indicating that soldiers were being mobilised from neighbouring states to come in to Abia ahead of the April 24 date for the rerun election.

He maintained that the electoral process has so far been peaceful across the nation because it reflects the wishes of the people and warned against acts capable of disrupting the peace and tranquility of the state.

While calling on the youth in the state to remain law abiding, Shendam declared that any attempt to use military personnel at the polling units will be vehemently resisted.

He appealed to the politicians particularly the contestants not to engage in acts that may undermine the process in the interest of the people they aspire to lead.

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