The Nigerian Army has denied reports that senior officers acted partisan during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections. The Army described the allegations as part of a “smear campaign” and asserted that its officers instead ensured a peaceful election, free from interference by ill‑motivated groups.
A media outlet (not The Times) claimed that Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele conspired with a general who ordered troops to be deployed to certain locations in Lagos so the election could be rigged in favour of the Labour Party. In a swift response on Monday, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, attributed the story to interest groups that the Army had prevented from influencing the elections through violence.
He said, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a deliberately calculated smear campaign on social media and other forums against some of our senior commanders and officers. While these unconscionable acts are inexplicable, the motivation behind them is not far‑fetched.” He added that during the recently concluded elections, “officers and men of the Nigerian Army adopted a firm and resolute stance in providing security support… effectively curbing and preventing ill‑intentioned groups from violently interfering with the process.” He noted that Nigerians were “excited at this responsible posture and the democratic opportunity it offered them.”
According to Onyema, “some interest groups, which were effectively prevented from hatching their nefarious plots to influence the elections through violence, are understandably piqued by this assertiveness of the Nigerian Army.” He affirmed that the service would continue to fulfill its constitutional role in elections, stating, “As constitutionally conceived, the Nigerian Army is nationalistic in its make‑up and organisation, drawing strengths from the diversities in our great nation. Our responsibilities, as far as elections are concerned, remain that of providing support to primary law enforcement and stakeholders in the electioneering process, ensuring that Nigerians can choose their leaders and representatives peacefully.” He concluded by assuring that any personnel found culpable of misconduct would be investigated and punished.
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