Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday condemned alleged donation of 14 Hilux vehicles by the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, to the Nigerian Army for election monitoring.
Oshiomhole told journalists in Benin that the vehicles were first parked at the premises of a private construction company in the state capital before they were transferred to the 4 Brigade headquarters of the Nigerian Army.
The governor said that the state government received intelligence report that the vehicles were to be used to convey soldiers in mufti to intimidate voters, saying it was inappropriate for the military to seek logistic support from a political party chieftain.
Oshiomhole said, “The Commander of the 4 Brigade told me that the vehicles were donated by RCC because he approached RCC for support. I told him that it is wrong; the Brigade commander cannot approach Israelis to provide them with security when Edo State Government is here.
“He has not made such request to me and I reminded him that the Israelis people cannot be assumed to have special interest in the peace and security of Nigeria than the government of Edo State. After all, we set up Operation Thunderstorm which encouraged the military to complement the efforts of the police.
“I denounce the idea. Information is that these vehicles were delivered by the minister of works, but the Brigade commander said they were provided by the RCC. But whether RCC or minister of works, this is irregular,” he said.
But efforts to reach one of the aides to the minister were not successful.
The spokesperson for the 4 Brigade Command, Capt. Abdullahi Abubakar, said he could not comment on the matter.
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