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Army rejects UK’s position on ‘military interference in Rivers elections’

Blessing Okorite, Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Army has rejected the United Kingdom’s position on the alleged involvement of soldiers in the suspension of the Rivers State Governorship and State House of Assembly election.
In a statement signed by Col. Sagir Musa,  acting Director, Army Public Relations, on Monday, the Army said that the allegations by UK as mentioned in publications was ‘untrue and baseless.’
According to Col. Sagir, the military personnel deployed to Rivers State discharged their duties without involvement in electoral violence or malpractices.
He stressed that political thugs disguised in military uniform disrupted the elections in the state.
The statement said: “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 any where in Nigeria before, during and after the 2019 elections.
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“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.”
The Army also warned that “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.”
The NA reassured it’s determination to deal with any of its personnel whose actions fall foul of the law.
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