Militarization Of Elections Is Worst Than Military Regime – Supo Shonibare

Afenifere chieftain, Chief Supo Shonibare has said the politics in the country should in no way be left in the hands of power brokers and money mongers who militarize the electoral process to favour themselves and a their political parties.

In an interview with Vanguard, he revealed all there is know about what an election in the country should be like if we really claim to be under democracy.

His words, “It unfortunate that the election was marred with allegation of falsification of result, not using card readers in some parts of the country, the militarisation of the whole process that appeared to be what we have not seen before. There were videos of military presence in most parts of the country.”

“Militarisation of our electoral process is worst than military regime because in military regime, it’s dictatorship. You tend to believe that your vote would count until you get a shocker.”

“That kill ballot boxes snatchers statement should not have been made by the President because it is not the military that defends individuals, it’s our law courts. Military forces can only exercise reasonable use of firearms because it will be illegal to shoot at unarmed individuals.

I accept that snatching of ballots boxes must be condemned in its totalty but the President should have said same thing on the issue of falsification of results for people to negate what he think is evil. There should be the same punishment for both offence. Falsified result is even worse than ballots snatching as it can only be encouraged by institutional connivance. So institutional connivance is worse. There is need to build strong institutions for them not to be under the caprices of those in temporary power.”