The Nigerian Army has denied reports that some of its senior officers were partisan during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.
A report (not by NaijaPR) alleges that Nigerian Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele conspired with military generals to order the deployment of troops to several locations in Lagos State in favour of the Labour Party, alleging to rig the election for the party.
In a rapid response on Monday, Army Public Affairs Director Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said some interest groups whom the service prevented from influencing the elections through violence were behind the report.
It partly read-
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a deliberately calculated smear campaign in the social media and other fora against some of our senior commanders and officers. While these unconscionable acts are inexplicable, the motivations behind them are not far-fetched.
“In the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections, officers and men of the Nigerian Army adopted a firm and resolute stance in providing security support for the elections in a manner that effectively curbed and prevented ill-intentioned groups from violently interfering with the process. There is no doubt that Nigerians are excited about this responsible posture and the democratic opportunity it offers them.
“However, some interest groups that were effectively prevented from hatching their nefarious plots to influence the course of the elections through violence are understandably piqued by this assertiveness of the Nigerian Army.”
cc: Punch Ng
