The
Defence Headquarters on Wednesday warned military officers and men
against being partisan or compromising the electoral process.
It vowed to sanction any military officer or man that tends to compromise the law or the electoral process.
It said the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh and Service Chiefs will not derail the nation’s democracy.
It reassured Nigerians of the military’s
commitment to peace, law, order and stability in the country before,
during and after the forthcoming elections.
The DHQ, which gave the warning in Abuja
in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen.
Chris Olukolade, asked military personnel to uphold their oath of office
to protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The statement said: “The Defence
Headquarters has noted the palpable tension being generated in certain
quarters with regards to the roles of the Nigerian military in the
ongoing 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 remains
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.
“In this instance, all military
personnel have been reminded and warned to remain ever conscious of
their service oath and solemn commitment to protect the constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria even while remaining loyal to
constituted authorities in the country.
“No excuse will be acceptable for any
act of commission or omission that tends to compromise the law or the
electoral process as well as decent conduct or judgment on the part of
any service personnel while discharging duties related to elections in
any part of the country.”
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