The Nigerian Army has said that it incurred the anger of politicians because it refused to compromise the integrity of the 2019 General Elections due to its belief in the nation’s democracy.
The army said it also acted in the best interest of the country by assisting the police in the elections.
Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Port Harcourt, disclosed this while receiving two individual Awards of Excellence at the divisional headquarters on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
The awards were presented by two youth groups: the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Youth Council, and the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria.
Sarham said that the Rivers state offered a unique experience which geared the army to discharge its responsibilities satisfactorily.
He added that the 2019 general elections which the division acted in aid of Nigerian police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offered the army a unique experience.
Sarham said the awards were a recognition that some groups and individuals had closely monitored the elections as well as independently verified activities of the army.
The GOC said the recognition wouldn’t have been possible without the support and guidance of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and troops of the division.
However, he dedicated the awards to soldiers who lost their lives while assisting the police in the elections.
(NAN)