Feb Poll: Court turns down deployment of military in Sokoto

From Raji Bello, Sokoto

Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto state, has said that it is unconstitutional for the Nigerian military to be deployed during the forthcoming general elections r the forthcoming general elections purpose in the state.

Justice Mohammed Rilwan who delivered the judgement noted that other than for the purposes of protecting the Nigeria’s territorial integrity, there is no constitutional provision that allows for the deployment of the military for elections.

The suit challenging the deployment of military for election duties in the state was instituted by the Deputy Speaker of the Sokoto state House of Assembly, who also represents Goronyo constituency, Barrister Bello Goronyo of All Progress Congress (APC).

The Judge, however maintained that the federal government to do so, it must have recourse to the National Assembly, which would enact such law.