Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Against the backdrop of criticism from the United Kingdom and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the role of some soldiers in the electoral process, especially in Rivers State, the Nigerian Army has defended its role, insisting that it would continue to provide security for the safe conduct of elections.
The Nigerian Army, which shrugged off the criticism, enjoined Nigerians to continue to collaborate with the army to ensure the peaceful conduct of the remaining lap of the 2019 elections, as it is determined to ensure there is adequate security for the final lap of the elections.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who stated this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during the inauguration of some projects, including a block of flats for warrant officers and sergeants at the 16 Brigade Command Headquarters, said the army could not stand by and allow violence to overshadow the conduct of the elections.
Buratai, who was represented by Major-General A.A. Saliu, Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, warned against fake news and false propaganda, which he said were capable of igniting electoral violence.
“Permit me to use this opportunity to draw your attention to Nigerian Army’s role in supporting other security agencies during the on-going electioneering process. As you would recall, as earlier launched, Safe Conduct is one of the series of exercises undertaken by the Nigerian Army to ensure the success of the 2019 general election. This decision was borne out of our previous unpalatable experiences occasioned by electoral violence, which has now been made worse by fake news. At this point, it cannot be overstated that fake news and false propaganda pose a dangerous threat to democratic process and military operations. Use of media, especially the social media, to deliberately spread fake news should be a thing of concern to all of us. Rapid spread of fake news has been responsible for misinformation, thereby having an influence on public sentiments and causing confusion among the electorate as well as even igniting violence during the elections as we have now.”
Buratai commended the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major-General Jamil Sarham, and, in particular, the commander of the 16 Brigade, Brig-Gen. Kevil Aligbe, for the various projects that would go a long way in motivating the officers and men.
He also expressed gratitude to Governor Seriake Dickson and the Belema Oil Servicing Company for fulfilling their promise during the ground-breaking ceremony in March 2018.