- I was officially deployed as the 32, Artillery Brigade
Intelligence Officer to provide credible Intelligence to the
success of Ekiti State governorship election. At about 2030
hours on June 2014, a day to the election proper, the
commander, Brigadier General AA Momoh told me to escort
him to a place where the State Minister for Defence wanted
to see him.
Reaching the place (Spotless Hotel in Ado- Ekiti), which
serves as coordinating campaign office for the PDP candidate
Mr. Ayodele Fayose, we met the Minister himself, Minister of
Police Affairs, Mr Fayose, Mr. Iyiola Omisore, one Honoruable
Abdulkareem and host of other top PDP chieftains.
The Outcome of what was discussed that gave the party
victory during the election are as follows:
- They told brigade commander that they are on presidential
assignment and they cannot afford to fail. Also, they told him
that they were there to remove any obstacles that would
block their victory and the commander is the key; therefore,
he has no option but to collaborate with them. They said, if
the commander play(ed) with them, his promotion is in their
hands and the president and the chief of army Staff would be
very angry with him and he knows what that means.
- They directed that soldiers on election duty must work
hand in hand with the PDP agents and give them all the
necessary support they needed without limitation.
- They ordered the arrest of selected APC stalwarts that
could greatly assist the party during the election including
the DG campaign organisation for Dr Fayemi Mr. Bimbo
Daramola. APC members in Ekiti State should be interviewed
of what they went through. We were forced to do a dirty job
for them with a threat of court martial.
- They directed that soldiers must block APC members’
access to the electorates but all PDP supporters’ movement
anywhere using a designated sticker with inscription,
“National Security Task” it should be noted that some of
these PDP agents were given NYSC uniforms because we were
well briefed by the commander.
- Chief Chris Uba who also said he was from the presidency
entered Ado- Ekiti a day to the election accompanied by 16
commissioned Army officers (Major and blow) led by Major
Ujung of 82 Base Ammunitions Depot from Nigeria Army 82
Division Enugu. Their major task was to effect arrest and
move secret materials and money. This money was brought
from CBN Umuahia.
- Chief Chris Uba was physically present with the soldiers
and the commander at Forward Operational Base (FOB) close
to government house in Ado- Ekiti. He personally supervised
the movement of the strike force. This act of a civilian
directing military operation is highly unprofessional and
tarnishing of the military discipline and regimentation.
- Chief Chris Uba entered Ado-Ekiti a day to the election
accompanied by military/police escort with 2 black tinted
Hilux Vans with “secret” materials according to him. Items
inside the vans were 1000/500 Naria notes closed and cloned
marked ballot papers.
- Chris Uba, Minster of police Affairs, Obanikoro and Co said
this is just a test run that should not fail and its to be done in
SS and SW states, moreover, Rivers State to make sure Rotimi
Ameachi bow to the federal government.
- Based on the aforementioned, they succeeded in rigging the
Ekiti State election with victory in all the 16 LGAs. These
really inspired them and they were with the euphoria that
same would happen in Osun State. In preparation of the
plans, they confirmed the posting of the commander and task
him to prepare for Osun State election (remember that Osun
State is not part of 32 Artillery Brigade Area of operations)
but they ordered the Nigerian Army Construction Engineers
Commander Brigadier General Adeyemi to proceed for 3
weeks compulsory leave until after the election just to pave
way for General Momah to repeat the same dirty work that
he has done to them in Ekiti State.
- In build-up towards the Osun State elections, the
commander directed me as his intelligence officer who has
worked with him perfectly in Ekiti State to go ahead and
recce the area as well as familiarize myself with all stake
holders for the election.
While I and my team were working for the operations, the
commander was in Abuja re-strategizing how to use the
military to rig the elections. Feelers based on my discussion
with him on phone confirmed to me beyond reasonable doubt
that we were repeating the same compromise in Osun State.
My heart got burnt and become disenchanted and in total
disagreement with such being professional junior officer
aspiring to become a General tomorrow.
- However efforts to explain my grievances prove abortive
due to the military dictatorial hierarchy in channel of
communication vis a vis threat of court martial from the
commander. I resorted to alert the APC high level officials
with the aim of stopping Army from partisan involvement
during election. A week to the election, the commander came
back from Abuja and he made revelations being their final
arrangement on how the PDP was to become victorious in
Osun state as follows:
- After welcome address by the commander, he thanked all
his staff officers, and said “you all know who we are working
for, so you guys MUST follow my direction. I am working for
the presidency and the ruling party as you all know, is no
longer a hidden thing” for those of you who are moles among
us, the presidency is watching you, be careful because the
consequence will be severe. I learnt that some of you went to
Lagos and met with Tinubu without knowing that his line is
already bugged at Abuja, then we are in trouble, but before
somebody will kill me I have to kill him first” (referring to
me). The commander asked how many of us were involved,
that I should say the truth, he now held a secret talk with
the operation officer and military police officer to tie and
handcuff me to Army HQs, from there I know that my life
was in danger.
- The commander categorically told us that the soldiers were
to work under PDP agents while their platoon commanders
only supervise the soldiers conduct. He briefed the officers
that were working the list of agents and those to be arrested
at the SGF office in Abuja and once the list is out everybody
must work with accordingly.
- The commander briefed us on the formation of a strike-
force in conjunction with police, DSS and NSCDC and he
would command the strike force directly. Their duty was to
work directly with the PDP aspirant for arrest and
intimidation of APC supporters in their strong hold.
- Money was shared openly at the NYSC Permanent
Orientation Camp Ede to the strike force to ensure
compliance.
- Having said all of the above, I must state before concluding
that:
A, My brother Adamu Koli a 15yrs old school boy was under
detention since on the 2nd August 2014. The boy stays with
me at 32 Artillery Brigade Akure.
- Brigadier General AM Dikko who they consulted initially
for the scam insisted that the army must remain professional
and apolitical, was disgracefully removed from his command
which he served only for 7 months just to allow General
Momoh to carry out the dirty work.
- Last but not the least, to further substantiate my
submission and how my dear-loving, hard-achieving noble
calling was de-professionalized; here is the recorded voices of
the Ministers, the aspirant and the Brigade Commander.
Other officers present at the hotel were Major Aliyu and
captain Adegoke who were also part of the officers that
escorted commander to the venue where the compromise was
made. Also conversation between the commander and Abuja
could be traced via MTN, GLO, on the under listed phone
numbers (between 20-21 June 2014).
- 08037033694
- 08055832835
7,Lastly, in order to strengthen the unity and continue
existence of Nigeria, I call on the federal Government to desist
from using the military for partisan politics. This is to avoid
the military from being divided along ethnic and regional
lines which is dangerous to the defence of the nation. I
remain a patriotic Nigerian and a loyal professional Army
officer,
God bless you all
Thank you for listening. Captain Sagir Koli
