The Nigerian Army has said that reports by theportcitynews that it was interfering in the Rivers State gubernatorial election are baseless.
The United Kingdom’s government also raised concerns over intimidation of chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the writing of results by soldiers and police officers.
Recall that theportcitynews on Saturday reported the barricading of the Abua/Odua Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, thereby stopping the distribution of electoral materials.
Subsequently, elections did not hold in the local government due to the army’s interference.
But the acting director of the army’s public relation, Colonel Sagir Musa, described the accusation as baseless.
According to him: “The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a publication by an online medium that reported accusation against the NA of interference in the Rivers State elections.
“The NA wishes to state that the statement is totally baseless, untrue and therefore capable of misleading unsuspected members of the public, especially when there is no credible record of such involvement anywhere in Nigeria before, during and after the 2019 elections.
“The NA, as a responsible organisation, wishes to debunk such misrepresentation in order to set the record straight. Similarly, it is on record that the NA has been globally applauded by many individuals, foreign and local elections observers for its sacrifices/roles in creating an enabling environment for a secure, transparent and peaceful conduct of the elections.
“The NA has also drawn the attention of the public to mischievous activities of some selfish individuals who recruited thugs dressed in military uniform and armed to harass and intimidate their opponents. In some cases, as reported, and as indicated in various intelligence reports, – hoodlums dressed in military fatigue snatched ballot boxes and other electoral materials. Some INEC staff were reportedly abducted.
“The NA, for the umpteenth time, reiterate that it will remain apolitical, neutral and professional in the conduct of the 2019 general election and in all its assigned roles across the nation in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai.
“The NA has made it clear that its only interest and role in the entire electioneering processes is purely to assist civil authority and the Nigerian Police to have a secure and peaceful conduct of the elections.
“Foreign interests are therefore enjoined to be mindful of interfering in our national internal affairs especially when there is no credible evidence. Any allegation against the NA must be confirmed from appropriate quarters before jumping to conclusions.
“Members of the public are further assured of the determination of the NA to objectively carry out its constitutional duties irrespective of the baseless accusations especially from those who felt it has denied them freedom to illegally and selfishly subvert the choice of Nigerians.
“As a noble institution, the NA, hereby, reassure members of the public of its determination to deal with any of its personnel whose actions fall foul of the law.”
