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Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an Ad-hoc committee to probe the role of the military in the 2019 general election.
The committee is expected to undertake comprehensive investigation of the deployment of soldiers during the polls and other elections and alleged abuses by the soldiers during the poll and report back to the chamber within four weeks; for further legislative action.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Patrick Asadu, at yesterday’s plenary, on alleged illegal deployment of soldiers during the general election.
Leading debate on the motion, Asadu said it was illegal and unconstitutional for the military to be involved in elections in the country.
The lawmaker also disclosed that, so far, three court judgements have declared the involvement of soldiers in elections as illegal and alleged it was unfortunate that some of the soldiers, especially those deployed in Rivers State, allegedly became partisan in the election and interfered in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary till April 2, to enable its various sub-committees to engage ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in defence of the 2019 Appropriation Bill.
On December 19, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari presented N8.83 trillion 2019 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly. The House concluded debate on the general principles of the budget earlier in the year.
