No Political Undertone To Payment Of Uniform Allowance To Personnel – Army

The Nigerian Army says the recent payment of uniform allowance
to officers and soldiers was not done to sway their voting toward a
particular political party as being insinuated in some
quarters.

A statement by Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public
Relations, on Thursday, said “This is not true.”

Mr Usman, a brigadier-general, said the payment of uniform
allowance was started in 2016 to assist troops deployed on
Operation Lafiya Dole.

“The allowance was however extended to all personnel because of
their increasing engagement in various internal security operations
across the country.

“It is important to note that 95 per cent of Nigerian army
troops will be engaged in security duties during the forthcoming
general elections.

“Out of this, almost 40 per cent are in the North East.

“Therefore, it is gross unfair and sheer mischief to associate
the Nigerian army with such mundane action,” Mr Usman said.

He urged Nigerians to disregard such “fake and unwarranted
information calculated to smear the army.”

Mr Usman said investigation was ongoing to ascertain the source
of such malicious allegations but warn unpatriotic individuals
associated with the spread of such information to stop the mischief
forthwith.

“We would like to further warn all officers and soldiers to
desist from acts that are inimical to Service discipline and code
of conduct.”

He restated the Chief of Army Staff warning to GOC and
commanders that, “All Nigerian Army personnel must remain neutral,
non-partisan and transparent in all their actions.

“I need to reiterate that there will be zero-tolerance for any
action and in-action by commanders at all levels that is deemed
tilted towards giving undue advantage to any candidate, political
party, ethnic or religious leanings to the detriment of the unity
and integrity of Nigeria.

“The Nigerian army has always been professional, impartial and
apolitical.

“We wish to state that no amount of campaign of calumny against
it would change that,” Mr Usman said.

NAN