On Sunday, 10th March, 2019, the United Kingdom High Commission in Nigeria, through its twitter handle noted that it was “Extremely concerned by reports, including from @UKNigeria observers, of military interference in the election process in Rivers State. Monitoring the situation closely. @inceng staff must be allowed to do their job in safety, without intimidation.” The Nigerian Army has reacted to this observation through a statement by its Acting Director of Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa. The Army described the observation of the British High Commission as baseless and untrue, adding that there is no evidence to prove that its personnel compromised the elections. It further admonished foreigners to be mindful of interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs and underscored the importance of credible evidence to substantiate any allegations made against the Force. Furthermore, the Nigerian Army drew attention to what it has described as a trend of politicians recruiting thugs and dressing them in military uniform, to perpetrate electoral violence, thereby misleading Nigerians as to the involvement of the military in the elections.
The conduct of the Army in the 2019 General elections has come under sever scrutiny and criticism following reports from Nigerians and international observers of their interference in the elections in favour of the ruling party.