The Nigerian Army has reacted to a viral video circulating online that allegedly shows soldiers escorting fake voters during the Anambra governorship election, which returned Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to office for a second term. The army described the claims as false and said the footage was being spread to mislead the public about its role in the electoral process.

According to a statement from Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, the army was not involved in any partisan activity. He clarified that the soldiers seen in the video were deployed for official security duties under the directive of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security. He urged Nigerians to disregard what he called “misinformation designed to discredit the military.”

The reaction came shortly after INEC officially declared Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) the winner of the November 2025 election. He secured a convincing victory with over 420,000 votes, defeating his closest rival from the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled just under 100,000 votes. The governor’s win was seen as a strong endorsement of his first-term performance and development-focused agenda.

Emphasis on Neutrality and Public Trust

The army reiterated its commitment to neutrality and professionalism in all election-related operations. It stated that its personnel are trained to follow the Armed Forces Act and the Code of Conduct that prohibits political alignment.

Observers have praised the generally peaceful conduct of the election, crediting improved coordination among security agencies. However, the viral video stirred brief controversy online, prompting the army’s swift response to maintain transparency.

As Governor Soludo prepares for his second term, the army’s clarification aims to preserve public trust in the nation’s democratic and security institutions.