- Insist on being apolitical and only supportive of Police during elections
The Nigerian Army have absolved its troops of involvement in any untoward act as portrayed in a viral video where armed soldiers were shown escorting buses allegedly conveying fake voters into Anambra state for Saturday, November 6 governorship election.
The Army described the purported video as the handiwork of mischief makers, who are focused on discrediting the institution and causing distraction in the performance of its constitutional responsibilities.
According to the Army hierarchy, contrary to the lies peddled in the video, the troops were only escorting Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) permanent and adhoc staff for the election tasks in the South-East State.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement on Thursday that; “The Nigerian Army (NA) has noted again the desperation of conflict merchants to discredit its constitutional role of aiding civil authority to provide internal security when called upon to do so.
“The mischief makers, using the social media, shared a video alleging that soldiers were escorting buses filled with fake voters into Anambra State.
“Even though such despicable propaganda images can easily be punctured by any keen observer, however for the sake of posterity, we wish to state without any equivocation, that no soldier of the Nigerian Army indulged in escort of fake voters into Anambra State.”
The Army spokesman also stated thus; “Contrary to the misleading information, the buses in question were conveying INEC permanent and adhoc staff for the election tasks in Anambra State.
“The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has corroborated this position. We therefore urge the general public to please disregard the report, as it is clearly a misinformation.
“Our troops are guided by extant provisions of Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) Personnel Code of Conduct during elections and the provisions of Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN 2004.
“We shall continue to operate along these lines to ensure that peace and security reign in our country.
“We will remain apolitical and very professional in deeds and conduct for the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria.
“We also encourage the political gladiators to refrain from dragging the Nigerian Army and indeed the Armed Forces of Nigeria into the murky waters of politics.”
With further assurances of adequate security for the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the Anambra gubernatorial poll on Saturday, the Army said; “We assure all Nigerians that the NA remains resolute in carrying out her constitutional duties.
“We urge the good people of Anambra state not to panic and we sincerely appreciate them for being law abiding and for supporting the joint security agencies, who are toiling relentlessly to ensure peace and security in the state.”
