Rivers guber poll: Army warns UK, others towards interfering in Nigeria’s affairs

THE Nigerian Army has warned overseas governments in opposition to interfering in Nigeria’s home issues, describing a assertion credited to United Kingdom, which accused two the military of undue involvement in the governorship election in Rivers State as baseless, untrue and capable of misleading unsuspected contributors of the public.

The military in a statement, yesterday, through its spokesman,Col. Sagir Musa, recommended that any allegation in opposition to the army ought to be established from suitable quarters earlier than leaping to conclusions. In the statement, entitled:  “Re:  UK expresses challenge over navy involvement in Rivers poll,” the two navy insisted that the assertion by the UK used to be untrue, mainly when there was once no credible document of such involvement any where in Nigeria before, during and after the 2019 elections. “ 

The assertion examine in part: “Foreign interests are, therefore, enjoined to be conscious of interfering in our national interior affairs, mainly when there is no credible evidence. “Any allegation against the Nigerian Army ought to be proven from terrific quarters earlier than jumping to conclusions. “The Nigerian Army needs to nation that the assertion is absolutely baseless, untrue and, therefore, capable of deceptive unsuspected members of the public, specially when there is no credible report of such involvement any where in Nigeria before, at some point of and after the 2019 elections. “The Nigerian Army, as a responsible organisation, needs to debunk such misrepresentation in order to set the record straight. Similarly, it is on document that the Nigerian Army has been globally applauded through many individuals, foreign and local elections observers for its sacrifices/roles in growing an enabling environment for a secure, obvious and peaceful behavior of the elections. 

The Nigerian Army has also drawn the interest of the public to mischievous things to do of some egocentric 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 quite a number intelligence reports, hoodlums dressed in navy fatigue snatched ballot boxes and different electoral materials. Some INEC group of workers have been reportedly abducted. “The Nigerian Army, for the umpteenth time, reiterates that it will continue to be apolitical, impartial and expert in the behavior of the 2019 everyday election and in all its assigned roles throughout the country in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai.” 

“The Nigerian Army has made it clear that its solely interest and function in the whole electioneering strategies is in simple terms to help civil authority and the Nigerian police to have a impervious and peaceful habits 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 towards the Nigerian Army should be proven from appropriate quarters earlier than jumping to conclusions. “Already the Chief of Army Staff,COAS has set-up a committee to look at all complains pertaining to to alleged expert misconduct with the aid of NA personnel in the behavior of the elections. “Members of the public are further guaranteed of the dedication of the Nigerian Army to objectively lift out its constitutional duties, irrespective of the   baseless accusations, particularly from these who felt it has denied them freedom to illegally and selfishly subvert the choice of Nigerians. “As a noble institution, the Nigerian Army, hereby, reassures contributors of the public of its willpower to deal with any of its personnel whose movements fall foul of the law.”