By Zagazola Makama
Fresh findings have clarified the circumstances surrounding a viral video showing a confrontation between the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, and a military rescue team during the governorship election in Awka.
The video, shared extensively on social media, depicts the Deputy Governor verbally harassing a soldier at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation point, demanding to know why the military officer was present at the venue.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the soldier, along with a small rescue team, was deployed following a distress call from the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Pauline Ojisua.
According to the sources, at about 0820 hours on November 8, the NYSC Coordinator alerted 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), stating that Corps members and INEC officials were being held hostage by political thugs at Ukwu Oji Umubele, Awka Ward 5, Awka South LGA, after the collation officer absconded from the polling unit. Acting on the distress call, the soldiers were promptly dispatched to the location.
“Troops promptly moved to the location, rescued the corps members and electoral officials, and escorted them safely to INEC office where collation continued without incident,” the sources stated.
However, upon arrival, however, the rescue team met the Deputy Governor, accompanied by political associates, who challenged the presence of the soldiers and attempted to obstruct their intervention.
A viral Video showed the Deputy Governor raising his voice and repeatedly, insisting that the military had no mandate to be in the collation environment, despite the emergency situation and the presence of threatened NYSC personnel. The soldier remained calm, clarifying that he was responding to a distress call.
The Deputy Governor continuously demanded explanations while refusing to listen to the INEC officials who placed the call. The soldier was heard asking: “Madam, what did you tell me when you called?”
The video then cuts abruptly before the INEC/NYSC official could respond.
Sources within the security team said that the Deputy Governor’s conduct suggested displeasure with the military intervention, which prevented political thugs from taking advantage of the situation.
Zagazola report that Election security procedures allow military intervention only in life-threatening situations, particularly where corps members serving under NYSC, not political parties are endangered.
Furthermore, INEC collation guidelines bar candidates and their deputies from entering or staying inside collation centres, to avoid interference or intimidation.
Legal experts, Kelvin Martings described the soldier’s action as lawful, necessary and timely, given that the NYSC State Coordinator, a senior Federal Government official, requested immediate protection for corps members.
He also condemned the Deputy Governor’s behaviour, describing it as unruly and obstructionist, especially toward uniformed personnel responding to an emergency involving vulnerable citizens.
Another sources familiar with the matter confirmed: “The military’s swift intervention prevented potential harm to corps members. Any harassment of security personnel performing rescue duties is unacceptable.”
INEC is yet to issue an official statement as at press time.
