The Nigerian Army has denied a media report that it was scheming against President-elect Bola Tinubu with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
According to news sources, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, made the announcement on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Army was reacting to a media claim that Emefiele planned to employ a retired general and several General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to undermine the success of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Saturday’s election and seize control of Lagos from Tinubu’s influence.
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According to Nwachukwu, the report that a retired military commander was plotting with the CBN chairman to undermine Tinubu’s success in the upcoming governorship and state election and state Assembly elections in Lagos.
He stated that the Army will not allow misguided forces to damage a senior officer’s character and reputation acquired over three decades of distinguished service.
He claimed that the Army as an institution is still nationalistic and will never become engaged in politics, and that it takes its strength from the nation’s diversity.
The statement reads: “Officers and men of the Nigerian Army in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections 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.
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“While Nigerians were excited at this responsible posture and the democratic opportunity it offered them, 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.
“As constitutionally conceived, the Nigerian Army is nationalistic in its make-up and organization, drawing strengths from the diversities in our great nation.
“Our responsibilities, so far as elections are concerned, remain that of providing support to primary law enforcement and stakeholders in the electioneering process towards ensuring that Nigerians are allowed to choose their leaders and representatives in a peaceful manner. This goal remains our only focus and one we would continue to pursue, mindful that the average citizen expects nothing less from his Army,” he said.
“Any misconduct against any Nigerian Army personnel would be responsibly investigated and any subsequent substantiation would attract the appropriate disciplinary sanctions in accordance with established practices and extant laws.”
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Nwachukwu stated that the use of ethnic and religious feelings will not weaken the Army’s resolve to carry out its duties professionally.
He, on the other hand, urged Nigerians to disregard the mischief and proceed with their civic duty without fear of molestation.
It added: “It should equally be appreciated that the character and reputation of a senior officer earned over three decades of meritorious service cannot be allowed to be destroyed by misguided elements through mere speculations.”
“The resort to the sentiments of ethnic and religious colorations would not also diminish the Nigerian’s Army resolve to carry on its roles professionally.
“The Nigerian Army, therefore, urged all Nigerians to ignore the mischief and continue to go about their civic responsibilities without any fear of molestation.
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“We would continue to work with sister services and other security agencies to meet all security-related expectations of citizens as enshrined in the laws of the federation.”
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