 says the Nigerian military and other security agencies are not under pressure to compromise the 2023 General Elections){kind=link}
By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the Nigerian military and other security agencies are not under pressure to compromise the 2023 General Elections.
The Director, Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Jimmy Akpor, stated this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Akpor faulted some news reports suggesting that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, had alluded to the military and other security agencies being under pressure to compromise the 2023 elections.
According to him, this impression was reportedly made during the 61st Session of the State House Briefing, which featured the CDS on Thursday.
“The Defence Headquarters however, wishes to say categorically that, this impression is not only erroneous, but false and a deliberate or inadvertent attempt to twist what was said, to convey a sinister meaning.
“It is pertinent to mention that the referenced briefing was broadcast live on Nigeria Television Authority – NTA Channel 419 on DSTV and Channel 46 on GOTV,” he said.
The defence spokesman explained that the erroneous reports emanated from a question asked by a journalists regarding President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the Armed Forces to remain neutral during the 2023 elections.
He said that Irabor’s response was, “I am glad you reiterated what the Commander-in-Chief said or his directive to the Armed Forces.
“I am afraid you said you had to worry. Rather than worry, I would think that trust in our cause (is paramount), why? Of course, in our training, there will always be pressure from all quarters, wanting to induce security forces, not just the military, security forces.
“That is what criminal enterprise is all about, that is what someone that is wrong is all about.
“But, what makes the difference is, the professional approach in dealing with the issues, and that is what the military intents doing.
“That is the reason why we have ramped up our training in that regard. Sensitization, a lot of engagements across formations and units are going on daily.
“And then, more so, to articulate Code of Conduct for all our personnel, which has been done and distributed. So, what, why we should act before, during and after the elections?
“These have been codified in SOPs (Standing Operating Procedures) issued to them. And so, it remains the duty of commanders to ensure the directive as indicated, that the content of SOPs is adhered to by every personnel of the Armed Forces.
“So, my good friend, please seize from worrying, rather trust and also engage others to trust that we will keep faith with these desires that we have,” Akpor quoted the CDS.
Akpor said that DHQ had chosen to transcribe the entire response by the CDS so that everyone could see the quantum misrepresentation of his comments during the briefing.
He said the armed forces of Nigeria would stand ready to aid civil authority in assuring free and fair 2023 elections.
“Already, ongoing military operations all over the country in collaboration with the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, are creating enabling environment for electioneering campaigns to hold.
“These military operations would be escalated or re-calibrated, when called upon to do so, to support the successful conduct of the 2023 elections.
“The Defence Headquarters therefore, seriously frowns on misrepresentation of the military leadership at any forum at this critical time of our nationhood,” he said. NAN