Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, has criticized the conduct of recent by-elections in Nigeria, describing them as militarized rather than democratic.
Senator Moro, who represents Benue South, said his party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, is dissatisfied with the polls due to widespread irregularities.
He expressed concern that heavy deployment of soldiers and police created fear at polling units, citing Zamfara’s Kaura Namoda South constituency where security forces were concentrated disproportionately.
According to him, while minimum security is necessary, the open display of arms around polling centers violates democratic principles.
Senator Moro urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call his ministers and relevant stakeholders to order, stressing that past practice forbade armed police officers at polling units.
He expressed hope that future elections will reduce the militarization of polling environments, noting that Nigeria, as Africa’s largest democracy, must lead by example.
On party matters, the minority leader welcomed the outcome of the PDP National Executive Council meeting, where members agreed that the party’s 2027 presidential candidate will come from the South.
He noted that this decision has been widely applauded and shows the PDP’s readiness for the next general election.
Senator Moro also expressed dissatisfaction with the forced resignation of the Benue State Speaker, describing it as politically motivated and contrary to the rule of law.
He alleged that the Speaker’s only offence was rejecting unqualified commissioner nominees, a stance the senator said reflected the true aspirations of the Benue people.
Bashir M
