PDP sues Buhari over directive to punish ballot snatchers | Nairalaw

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sued President Muhammadu
Buhari over his directive to the military to be “ruthless” with
ballot box snatchers.

In a suit filed before the federal high court in Abuja, the
party asked the court to declare that Buhari’s directive is
unconstitutional, unlawful and void.

The party also sued Mohammed Bello, minister of the federal
capital territory (FCT), before a FCT high court over the “gigantic
broom” erected by the All Progressives Congress (APC) near Abuja
city gate.

It urged the court to issue an order compelling the minister to
investigate allegations of intimidation and illegality which poses
potential threat of violence and disunity the structure may
cause.

The party said this follows the permission of the FCT
administration or its failure to take action against the broom
which it said is an “improper structure”.

On Monday President Muhammadu Buhari said he had given the
military and the police the order to be ruthless, stating that
those who snatch ballot boxes will pay with their lives.

“I really gave the military and police order to be ruthless,”
Buhari had said.

“Anybody who thinks he has enough influence in his locality to
lead a body of thugs to snatch ballot boxes or disturbs the voting
system, will do so at the expense of his own life.”

The comment was criticised by some Nigerians who described it as
unconstitutional.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the
military has no business in the election business, and that ballot
box snatchers should not be shot but prosecuted according to the
law.

More to follow…