Court declares deployment of soldiers for election duties illegal

A Federal High Court sitting in Sokoto, the Sokoto State capital, has said it was illegal and highly unconstitutional for the Federal Government to deploy the Nigerian military during the forthcoming general elections in the state.

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

The suit was instituted by the Deputy Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, representing Goronyo constituency Barrister Bello Goronyo of the All Progress Congress, APC.

According to the Judge, if the federal government wants to deploy soldiers for election purposes, it must approach the National Assembly, which would enact such a law.