In anticipation of the Anambra election this Saturday, the Nigerian Army has declared that the military will always remain apolitical.
Director of Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, made his position clear in a statement Thursday night.
The general said some irresponsible operatives are plotting to dishonour the Army’s constitutional role of helping civil authority to provide internal security when called upon to do so.
He also discussed a video widely shared on social media that alleged soldiers were taking buses filled with fake voters into Anambra State and said the buses portrayed were transporting INEC permanent and ad-hoc staff for the election.
“The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has corroborated this position. We urge the general public to please disregard the report, as it is clearly a misinformation,” he said.
“Our duty in the state at this time is purely security-related and in support of the Nigeria Police, which is the lead security agency in the security architecture of electioneering.”
Brig Gen Nwachukwu emphasised that the members of the military are guided by extant provisions of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Personnel Code of Conduct during elections, in addition to the provisions of Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN 2004.
The Army swears an oath to continue to follow along these lines to ensure that peace and security are kept in the country.
“We will remain apolitical and very professional in deeds and conduct for the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria”, said the brigadier general.
