2019 polls: HURIWA hails military, knocks INEC

The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) has commended the conduct of the Nigerian Army so far in the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

In a statement on Monday signed by its coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said the military has been “professionally ethical” and depicted “a huge amount of commitments and patriotic zeal to defend constitutional democracy.”

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday last week inaugurated an election observation centre at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, to compliment Operation Safe Conduct also launched to ensure a peaceful 2019 general elections.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai while launching the situation room said it has been reconfigured for real-time monitoring of events during the 2019 General Elections.

HURIWA, however, criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the postponement of the February 16 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The organisation said there appears to be individuals in INEC who “are bent on destabilizing the electoral process with the consequences of unleashing violence and disorder or provoking political instability or coup plot by undemocratic elements.”