Following the criticisms emanating from some Nigerians and especially members of the All progressives Congress, APC, the Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has explained why armed security operatives were deployed to Osun State ahead of the governorship election billed to take place on 9 August, 2014.
Obanikoro, who spoke at a press conference in Osogbo on Monday, 04 August, 2014 said that soldiers deployed to Osun state were not meant to intimidate people, but to ensure peace in all parts of the state.
He added that the deployment of armed security operatives, including soldiers to the state was to prevent breakdown of law and order before, during and after the governorship election.
The former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana stressed that the rationale behind the deployment of the security agents at the state was for maintenance of peace and orderliness.
While commenting on the alleged victimisation of innocent residents of Osun state by armed security operatives, Obanikoro stated that “those you are seeing are trained security personnel, who are after peace in the country.”
Also speaking, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode said the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) was prepared to win the Saturday election in Osun State, hence, the massive campaign by the party.
Fani-Kayode maintained that the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, was the best person to rule the state. He said the PDP would employ legal means to win all the states of the South West.
It would be recalled that the ruling party in Osun, APC, has been condemning the deployment of armed security operatives to Osun, alleging that it is an attempt for the PDP to rig the guber election.
Reacting to the APC’s allegation of intimidation and attempt to rig, President Goodluck Jonathan, during his visit to Osun at the weekend, stated that security personnel are in Osun to ensure that there is a free and fair election come 9th of August.
Jonathan also added that it is to make sure that the electorates are not terrorised when they go out to vote on Saturday.
