Inside Nigeria
2019 Elections: Uproar As Nigerian Army Launches Operation Python Dance In All States
• Yoruba will resist army of occupation — Afenifere
• It is suspect, military should avoid partisan activities — PDP
• They are plotting to rig election for Buhari — Junaid Mohammed
Opposition groups raised the alarm on Friday as the Nigerian Army announced that it would conduct exercise “Egwu Eke III” – Python Dance – nationwide, to tackle “observed upsurge” in security challenges as the 2019 general elections draw near.
However, pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere, vowed that the Yoruba would resist any army of occupation, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the move as suspect and urged the military to avoid partisan activities regarding the next elections.
In the same vein, a Second Republic federal lawmaker and a renowned government critic, Dr Junaid Mohammed, accused the military of using the proposed exercise as a ploy to rig the coming election for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, announced at a news conference on Friday in Maiduguri, Borno State, that the exercise would be conducted from January 1 to February 28, 2019 in all states, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.
The 2019 general elections are due to commence with the presidential and National Assembly elections slated for February 16.
Represented by Major-General Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief of Training and Operations, Buratai announced the operation across all the 36 states to combat such threats as stockpiling of arms by criminal groups, formation of ethnic militias and violence induced by political activities.
The army had in 2016 and 2017 conducted exercise Egwu Eke I and II in the South- East geo-political zone.
“These challenges coupled with other security threats across the country such as terrorism, militancy, kidnapping and banditry portend that dissident groups and criminal elements could cash in on the situation to perpetrate large-scale violence before, during and after the 2019 general elections,” Buratai said.
According to the army chief, the Nigerian army troops needed to be prepared and equipped with requisite skills in order to professionally and effectively respond to these challenges and security threats in collaboration with the Nigerian Police and other para-military oganisations.
Responding to a question on why Egwu Eke III is being conducted nationwide and not restricted to the South-East in line with its code name, Buratai said there is python everywhere.
“Even in the desert of Borno, don’t forget, the Lake Chad basin is there, python can also dance within the desert.
“In fact, we have desert python, so python will dance all over the country this time around,” he said.
The army chief explained that the success of the exercise Egwu Eke I and II in checkmating security threats in the South- East informed its simultaneous implementation across the country now.
Buratai called on Nigerians to provide the army and other security agencies with useful and timely information to enable them to deliver on the mandate of exercise Egwu Eke III.
It is suspect, military should avoid partisan activities — PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in its reaction, asked the military to resist being used for partisan purposes, as the spokesman of the party, Kola Ologbodiyan, told Saturday Tribune that the military must insulate itself from politics.
“We urge the military to carry out its responsibilities within permissible rules of engagement.
The Operation Python Dance must not be partisan and should be carried out within the provisions of our laws and due respect to the rights and privileges of Nigerians.
“However, if this operation is to aid the rigging plans of President Muhammadu Buhari, we charge the security apparatchik to insulate the military from politics. Limiting the operation to between January and February is suspect because the governorship election is scheduled for March,” PDP said.
It’s meant to intimidate people —Afenifere
It its own reaction, pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere, warned that an army of occupation would be not welcomed in Yorubaland.
“Our attention has been drawn to the announcement by the Nigerian Army to launch Operation Python Dance nationwide. Our take is that this exercise is meant to intimidate the people as we prepare towards the 2019 elections.
“We advise the Army to go and face Boko Haram in the North East which is daily showing its capacity to degrade the Nigerian government as against the claim of Lai Mohammed and other megaphones of government.
“Let us specifically say that the Yoruba People will resist any army of occupation in our space as we will not surrender to acts of intimidation,” Afenifere said.
It’s a diabolical ruse to sustain Buhari beyond 2019 — Junaid Muhammed
Also reacting to the plan by the Nigerian Army to carry out Python Dance across the country, a prominent northern leader, Dr Junaid Muhammed, described it as a diabolical ruse aimed at helping to retain President Buhari in office.
Speaking with Tribune in a telephone interview, the Second Republic federal lawmaker also said the January 1- February 28, 2019 timeline was suspect, noting that it clearly demonstrated that the military was obviously out to protect the interest of Buhari whose election would hold on February 16, leaving out the governorship and state House of Assembly elections, slated for March 2.
Querying the essence of the military exercise, Dr Muhammed said, “First and foremost, the Nigerian Army is trying to take a diabolical liberty of the Nigerian people. They also think that our democracy, which was hard earned, is not worth it.
“Let me tell you this: they have something sinister at the back of their mind. They don’t care a hoot about the people and our democracy. They want to stage-manage and rig the 2019 election and hand over to candidates of their choice who may be coming from within or outside the military circle. The plot does not exclude either serving or retired military generals.
“But let me remind you that, in our national history, the Nigerian Army has never had or carried out such an exercise since the attainment of independence in 1960. They have never held such a martial operation before any election.
“The Army did not create Nigeria. They should be careful and Nigerians should be extra watchful of them. These characters have failed to rein in the Boko Haram insurgents. Their carelessness and nepotism have opened up another front in the war against insurgency.
“Let me warn here that any attempt by Buhari or anybody in any of the political parties, INEC and the security agencies to rig the election or to fail to give us a credible election would usher in a dangerous chaos,” he said.
Dr Muhammed also faulted the dates fixed for the military exercise as he said it was aimed at sustaining hegemony, noting that “The military believed that they can now govern this country directly. They did not believe in our democracy.
“You asked me why January 1-February 28 and not March 31, 2019? The dates were not brought out from the heart of sincerity. The military are only concerned about one election and that is that of their person, Buhari and that is very obvious.
“That is why the president has refused to ease out the dead woods in the military, in spite of all cries to that effect. The concerned military officers have been bribing some influential people and traditional rulers in order to retain their jobs. They are only interested in retaining and sustaining Buhari in office beyond 2019, even if Nigerians like it or not,” he added.
The United States had recently expressed concern over the 2019 elections in Nigeria and emphasised misuse of security forces as one of the greatest threats to the polls.
The Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs at the US Department of State, Ambassador Tibor Nagy, expressed the uneasy feelings of his country regarding the upcoming elections at a recent hearing on Nigeria by the US congress sub-committee on Africa, Global Health and Global Human Rights.
Ambassador Nagy had been asked by the committee to identify his greatest concerns as regards next year’s elections in Nigeria and he declared: “The greatest concern is violence, number one. Number two, is the use of security forces for one side or the other… Not allowing voters to express their desire.”
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Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 7:08 pm
God bless the people with right consciousness
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 7:07 pm
So please stop your suppression on free citizens of Africa
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 7:07 pm
The so called Nigerian Armed Forces and Police are active collaborators with Boko Haram Islamic Terrorists just as they work hard in gloves with Fulani Islamic Terrorists militias coordinated from the Jubril Al’Sudani Aminu impostor presidency.
They cause insecurity and terrorism all over the land.
They create wide spread insecurity but use it as an excuse to invade peaceful provinces to kill unarmed and defenseless ethnic populations.
Yet their fellow soldiers they betray to die and be lost in large scales to Boko Haram; denying those they recover or fail to recover their corpses good mention and decent burials.
Now they use the so called Sudanese originated Python folklore to launch their so called operation Python Dance to rig upcoming elections and secure Jubril Al’Sudani Aminu from accounting for his role as a contractor impostor and Buhari lookalike.
This monumental Miyeti Allah APC Fulani fraud has expiry limit..
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Soon we shall never reorganize you people in Africa up-to world stage, cos all the most educated Nigerians are full of Daft morals, going only for money, when we knew that we die and leave money, and soon God’s kingdom will take over the earthly activities
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 7:04 pm
We regret having accept it, cos no immunity, no respect to rule of laws right from the executive, to judiciary etc….
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 7:02 pm
Entire Africans are watching the funniest political drama in Nigeria. Shame on you so called big brother Africa
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 7:00 pm
He is nothing but Bastard pikin, cos he is killing despite he was born by a woman, but seemly like he do not have fatherly training but military cock and shot of useless rebellious Army like him in Africa
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Operation rigging Election..
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Which one is launched in the war torn zone, northeast n northwest. We must stand firmly to resist this strategy of planning to rig 2019 election
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 4:48 pm
I hope Nigeria may record 20million death by February nextyear
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Their aim is to rig d election why all states Let them dance their dance in d north where they have d Boko Haram.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 3:29 pm
What is operation python dance?
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 3:15 pm
The should all go to Maiduguri to dance for there is enough space in sambisa forest.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 3:02 pm
Why operation python dance to all the states?Am smelling some thing
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 3:01 pm
That is plan to rig the 2019 election.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 2:52 pm
This man dey cry?
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 2:51 pm
The dance is of no use. Nigeria, the army have all fail. Imagine dancing around the town while people are being killed every day in Nigerian states an the police an army can’t go an fight
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Nigeria military force of terror is not deferent from Boko Haram and Fulani terrorist group in all it nature and actions killing as much as they can
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 2:32 pm
How long shall this Fulani terrorist government last with their agent of terror apc Buhari lifeless president of Fulani headsmen terrorist group jubril imposter of sudan?
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 2:10 pm
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Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:50 pm
IT IS UNDEMOCRATIC FOR SOLDIERS TO ROAM THE STREETS, MOUNT ROAD BLOCKS AND COLLECT BRIBE: A Soldier’s duty is to die. Die for his country, die in defence of his father-land. It is undemocratic for soldiers to roam the streets at the time of peace. Is very clear today that Soldier mount Road blocks both in built-up areas and highwayd overtly collecting money without qualms. Today, the Army wants to introduce Operation Python Dance. Dancing while Bornu, Zamfara are on fire. Does one chase rat when his house is on fire? Please, “Basta Bastante” enough is enough. What do they take us for. We know that the Security Chiefs don’t take orders from the Head of State, let those who can talk to them to do so now before they see the unintended consequences of their actions. A stitch in time saves nine. Bon nuit
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:49 pm
For every apc supporter who will keep shouting pdp stole and forget to tell their fraudster to study this need to ask God to press the restore button on them: let them go and fight the boko boy they created to steal money.
APC LOOTED NIGERIA FOR 18 YEARS.
Out of 24 APC governors today, 22 of them were members of the PDP that ruled for 14 years before the formation of APC in 2013 and Now adding another 4 years after taking power in 2015.
As if that is not enough 20 former PDP governors are now in APC and many of them with corruption cases, but PMB’s corruption fight “no reach their side.”
Current APC Governors that Migrated from PDP:
1. Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State was a PDP Senator.
2. Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State served as FCT minister under the PDP.
3. Governor Aminu Masari of Kastina State was a Former House of Representatives speaker under the PDP.
4. Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State was a PDP Former Commissioner.
5. Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto was a Former PDP Speaker of the House of Representatives.
6. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State was a Commissioner and Governor under PDP.
7. Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State was in PDP.
8. Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state was also in PDP.
9. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State was in PDP.
10. Governor Samuel Orthom of Benue State was a PDP Minister.
11. Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State was in PDP.
12. Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State was a Former PDP Senator.
13. Governor Bindow Jubrilla of Adamawa State was a Former PDP Senator.
14. Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State was in PDP.
Former PDP Governors now in APC:
1. Aliyu Wammako -Sokoto
2. Rabiu Kwankwaso- Kano
3. Sai’du Dakingari -Kebbi
4 , Bukola Saraki – Kwara
5. Murtal Nyako- Adamawa
6. Rotimi Amaechi -Rivers
7. Temiprye Sylva – Bayelsa
8 . Sullivan Chime- Enugu
9. Obong Victor Attah- Akwa-Ibom
10. Chris Ngige – Anambra
11. Joshua Dariye -Plateau
12. George Akume -Benue
13. Adamu Abdullahi – Nasarawa
14. Orji Uzor Kalu- Abia
15. Oserheimen Osunbor- Edo
16. Segun Oni -Ekiti
17. Alao Akala- Oyo
18. Danjuma Goje- Gombe
19. Olagunsoye Oyinlola -Osun
20. Garba Umar- Taraba
Do you also know that:
1. The first and current APC Senate President was in PDP?
2. The first APC Speaker of the House of Representatives was also in PDP?
3. Three out of five former Speakers of the House of Representatives under PDP are now in APC?
3. A former PDP senate president is also in APC?
4. Two former national Chairmen of PDP are also now in APC?
5. Thousands of current APC legislators at both state and national levels were in PDP?
6. Hundreds of current APC ministers and commissioners today were in PDP?
7. Thousands of other former PDP leaders and members including former ministers, legislators, commissioners, etc are now in APC?
Now who are the PDP members that APC keeps referring to that looted the nation’s treasury for sixteen years?
Anybody who says PDP members looted the nation’s treasury and are therefore corrupt is distorting the facts and therefore a shameless / barefaced liar, innately corrupt, fraudulent, self-centred, deceptive, wicked, broad day robber, oppressive and has no decency and humanity in them.
Are these the kind of people that should rule a nation?
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Operation “rig the election in all states”.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Did jona ever allow this nonsense to happen during his time? Definitely not.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:39 pm
But wait oo, I thought they told us some time ago that they don’t have enough soldier again so where will they get the dancers from? Na wao
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:36 pm
Election era?
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:29 pm
Come and dance with IPOB we are waiting and ready for you guys this time, that will be end of the zoo
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:29 pm
Go and face Boko Haram
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:27 pm
I know the will be the instrument of ringing Buhari into power, only if the election will hold. Nigeria security fully involved in an election against the constitution
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:22 pm
Of course, Police should go and fight Boko Haram while the Python will not only dance but rig the general election in favour of APC. Boko Haram, continue to enjoy yourself Norh East o jare! Who told you that cow is not smarter than Buhari!
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Usless pple…buhari apc need power by all means upon not capable..army chief is talking abt police work while boko haram a busying killing nigeria army,even d aboki president neva reason of changing d security chiefs frm anoder region.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Nigeria is a failed country.
Its dead.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:09 pm
I hope north is AMONG
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:06 pm
Go to sambisa forest
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Cover up.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Go and dance with boko haram in baga and stop torturing innocent Nigerians.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Ur ar right
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Foolishness
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Is the pythons dancing in yobe, borno, adamawa and zamfara states
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:29 pm
cow cow brain man is dead
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:24 pm
Can’t such military power be deployed in the north east to combat the boko haram terrorist?
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Boys scout, go and liberate Borno, lazy weak team
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:15 pm
When you say Python dance everyone already know your targets. Simply say in south south south East. This current system of government and administration will cause the breaking down of Nigeria unity because of selfish ends.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:15 pm
evil man that is killing his own people Shamless old fool
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:08 pm
Because they want rig election, we are under siege
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Very good our no more voting will work very well because we all will stay indoor to avoid dancing on my head
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:03 pm
Rigging strategy.. They want to use the army to intimidate the people into submission. Let python dance in sambisa, Zamfara, yobe, Bornu, kaduna not the whole Nigeria.. You want to set the country ablaze. APC know they have woefully failed.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Go and lunch operation python dance with Boko Haram
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 11:50 am
If una get mind make una go try dat python dance for sambisa forest or for Borno state
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 11:50 am
The APC government is the most Corrupt administration in our Modern history. Nigerians under any circumstance allow the APC government to Sabotage the upcoming 2019 presidential election.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 11:45 am
EXCLUSIVE: ‘About 700 Soldiers Missing, More Than 2,000 Trapped’ As Boko Haram Takes Over Baga | Sahara Reporters
“Boko haram has taken over Baga town,” said the source. “More than 2,000 troops are there trapped, and 700 are missing. [Air Force] jets cannot do anything now because the soldiers are trapped in their midst”.
READ MORE: http://bit.ly/2GIgXOb
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:39 pm
Just imagine and the same soldiers are busy planing against innocent Nigerians
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 12:41 pm
They are only after biafra people
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 11:35 am
Go and fight Boko Haram
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 11:34 am
This Idiot Buratia are we in military Regime or civilian regime. Both you and Buhari are very stupid and daft. People are being killed every day by Boko haram and Buhari killer squad known as herdsmen and you are talking of python 111. If you don’t know what to do again better come near me l will use SNIPPER for you and oga Buhari. Within seconds Nigeria will be peaceful. We the Nigerian people are peace loving. But hunger and joblessness has brought crimes . Buhari has made mockery of judiciary so no more obeying of laws in Nigeria. When herdsmen are caught and allowed to go without persecution. When fake repentant Boko haram are being recruited into our security forces. The meaning is that Buhari formed all this group to frustrate Jonathan , and bring unrest if Power was refused him in 2015. God will remove all of someday either by death or by last stage of demensia. Useless leaders.
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 11:13 am
Stupid people
Anonymous
December 29, 2018 at 11:08 am
SCOUTS BOYS