The Defence Headquarters has assured Nigerians that the military and its personnel would be impartial in the discharge of their constitutional security responsibilities in the forthcoming general elections.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, said in an electronic mail on Wednesday that the military would remain committed to the performance of its constitutional role of securing the country before, during and after the elections.
Olukolade said the leaders of the military who are also beneficiaries of the democratic governance would not do anything to subvert it.
He also stated that the military would ensure strict adherence to professionalism and would remain non-partisan in its operations during the elections.
Olukolade said that the assurance became necessary in view of the tension generated by the role of the military in the on-going political process.
He said that the military had the responsibility to provide complementary security in support of the civil authorities aside from its traditional role of protecting the territorial integrity of the country.
“The Defence Headquarters has noted the palpable tension being generated in certain quarters with regards to the roles of the Nigerian military in the on-going political activities and recent developments especially in relation to the electioneering programmes in the country.
“Accordingly, it has become necessary to reassure all citizens that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to its duty in working to ensure the sustenance of peace, law, order and stability in the country before, during and after the forthcoming elections.
“It is also important to reassure Nigerians that the military will, while working with all security agencies and stake holders in the process, remain professional, apolitical and non-partisan in all operations or activities related to this crucial exercise.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is quite conscious of the fact that apart from its primary constitutional role of defending the country from external aggression and internal insurrection, it also has the responsibility of providing support in aid of civil authority such as the need to provide complementary security arrangement to protect our electoral process.
“It is on record that the military has successfully lived up to its responsibility while discharging this duty during previous elections without equivocation.”
He said that all military personnel had been warned to be conscious of their oaths of office to ensure the protection of the Constitution and to be loyal to constituted authorities in the country.
The Defence Spokesman added that the military leadership would not accept any excuse for comprising the law or the Electoral Act in the forthcoming elections.
Olukolade, who commended Nigerians for their understanding, said the nation’s security was beyond politics and other considerations.
He appealed to Nigerians to separate the military from partisan politics and to retain their confidence in its neutrality and patriotism during the electoral period. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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