Battle ready soldiers have invaded the residence of former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos his media office said on Tuesday.
The statement said for three straight days, the private residence of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been under surveillance by battle-ready and helmet-wearing soldiers.
“Numbering close to 30 and riding in three patrol vans and an army truck stationed close to the entrance of the gate to Tinubu’s house along Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, they have become a permanent feature. Their obvious target, Tinubu himself and perhaps the hordes of politicians and visitors that visit his Bourdillon residence.”
“The soldiers were first noticed on Sunday a few minutes to 11:00 pm in an army truck, the statement said, noting that, they stationed about 500 meters away from Tinubu’s gate. “Later they moved close to his gate as if making efforts to enter. The stern looking soldiers were around for hours on Sunday and returned on Monday to continue their surveillance. Monday night about 10.45pm, they returned to the residence in two army vans and were there throughout the night. Some of the soldiers discharged from the van and walked back and forth in front of the house and around the house in what is clearly some casing effort.”
The statement noted that this morning, Tuesday 10 February, two vans from the army were stationed on both sides of the house along Bourdillon road their missions shrouded in secrecy.
But in a swift reaction, Tinubu said he will not be intimidated by this show of strength, intimidation and possible harassment. “I remain resolute in my advocacy and support for the rule of law.
Jonathan’s government has through the service chiefs staged a coup against Nigerians and the Constitution and now wants to silence his critics. I will not be muzzled through the barrel of the gun. The guns and bullets they should use to defeat Boko Haram are now being turned against the opposition and innocent Nigerians,” he said.
The statement said: “Tinubu remains emphatically resolute and committed to the path of change in Nigeria and the liberating manifesto of the All Progressives Party, APC. Tinubu is an unrelenting critic of the maladministration of the Jonathan-led PDP government. Tinubu is credited to have played the most pivotal role in the re-building of the Nigerian opposition and the formation of the APC, Nigeria’s most formidable opposition party since independence.”
“The exact mission of the soldiers is not known but it fits clearly into a new pattern of intimidation of leaders of the APC and the opposition. The recent massing of soldiers for three days now at Tinubu’s gate might be part of a broader plan by the Jonathan Presidency to intimidate Tinubu and his political associates and scare him from making provocative statements or building a broad coalition against the present government as he did during the NADECO days.”
“As the scaremongering by the army continues, Nigerians must come to the realization that the military has abandoned its statutory role and have now being dragged into partisan politics. Nigerians and the South West should hold the Jonathan led Military responsible if any harm or danger comes to Tinubu and his family. The case of the “Unknown Soldier” is too recent in our memory,” the statement read. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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What a SHAME,if they are battle ready let them go to sambisa forest,fotokol or malan fotori. What a shameless and irresponsible people that called themselves ‘GOVERMENT‘
ReplyDeleteWe need to know the reasons why they are there before we pass any judgement... they are all politicians and will never tell the full story, so let's just 'sidon look'
DeleteWe need to know the reasons why they are there before we pass any judgement... they are all politicians and will never tell the full story, so let's just 'sidon look'
DeleteAnonymous 7:30.(Shy Poster) You are among the silliest, dumbest and most irrational person to comment on NE. What reason can Jonathan adduce for using Nigeria's Military to harass its civilian populace, if the Government has any reason to put anybody under watch, are there no police force and the SSS/DSS again? Why are you supporting the evil machinations of Jonathan and refusing to say the truth?
DeleteAt this time most especially, the presence of the Nigerian Army is much needed in the troubled North East to crush the rebels and reclaim our sovereignty and you see nothing wrong in using Nigerian Army as a "boy-boy" to intimidate and threaten the opposition and perceived enemies.
The point I am making is that THERE IS NO REASON WHATSOEVER to diminish or degrade our soldiers whose primary and only duties and role are for protection of our country Nigeria against aggression from any foreign nation and not to use them for "Agbero" activities against its own people. This is what the man from Otueke and his cohorts has turn our DISTINGUISHED Military institution into. WHAT A PITY AND SHAME on all Nigerians who look on as if nothing is wrong and to people like Shy Poster who still feels the Army are there for a REASON
Shy Poster, your president uses soilders not police anymore... may be you and your president's reason is good enough to use soilders instead of police eh... you guys should try and advice GEJ... can't you see that things are alot different now!!! GEJ go #bringbackourgirls
DeleteI tot he said they invaded his residence.whats the noise aall about ,if there is reason to put a survelance team on him
ReplyDeleteThis is a lopsided reporting,pls do not run into conclusion in your report,just state. The fact as it is and dont put your own thinking or quezz work
We need to know the reasons why they are there before we pass any judgement. They are politicians and will never tell it all, so let's just 'sidon look'
ReplyDeleteAnother poor reporting from NE,dont you know what invading a residence is? All the same,its wrong if they don't justify it in the future. The government could use the various secret services to put surveillance on him if necessary, but armed stern looking soldiers in this democratic dispensation is not acceptable.
ReplyDeleteI support a re-election for the incumbent, but this is not okay,if cogent reasons are not given afterwards.
Invade his residence? where is the invasion? stupid report, NE thinks every Nigerian is an illiterate or what? writing rubbish report and expecting the educated ones take hook line and sinker. mscheeeew
ReplyDeleteGEJ is so desperate, even if Tinubu is to be under surveillance can't plain cloths policemen or sss do the job? Must Nigeria army be dragged into politics all d time? No wonder our military can no longer fight insurgency when all they do now is rig elections and intimidate oppositions
ReplyDeleteEwu,both PDP and APC are all involve in it.It is only the best rigger that wins election in Nigeria,Therefore, there is nothing wrong about that.He should be properly checked.We need a change in Lagos.
DeleteThere is nothing like poor reporting. Many people here either do not want to say the truth or they are irrational. The president has no reason whatsoever to send military to harass anyone politician or any other citizen. This is militarilization of democracy. Is this the reason for postponment of electron.
ReplyDeleteNE report is faulty, no one invaded his private residence, it's only a thief that sees the police and become scared? The soldiers did not come to you, they did not interrogate you nor any of your visitors, then what the noise for?. Note: it is the kind of intelligent info @ disposal that determine the forces to be use.
ReplyDeleteAPC was formed on a baseless and falsehood foundation , the worst is yet to come that everybody will find his or her own way for peace to prevail-never be a skep goat.
ReplyDeleteWe all don't know y d soldiers re dere,let's see wat is going to come out of it.Bcos he must have done something.
ReplyDeleteYou know Tinubu is so dubious , and after smoking cocaine can come up with any mischief , the military has good reasons to put surveillance on anyone that wants to cause trouble so let's wait the reason will soon be out. Can any one believe that this time while the incumbent is planning a free and fear election the opposition has perfected every arrangement to rig the election with the conivance of INEC Croning PVCs and handing the PVCs over to the Emairs , can you also believe that under age children have PVCs it is a very big shame for Buhari that is so desperate to steal the mandate at all cost in the name of change. Thank God for His grace which abound in all good works Nigeria will never be Islamised IJN
ReplyDelete