Thursday, August 31, 2023
The Witness Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • The Nation
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Investigation
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • South Witness
  • World
  • Health
The Witness Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home The Nation

We’re not under pressure to compromise 2023 election, Army backtracks

Stanley Osariemen by Stanley Osariemen
December 9, 2022
in The Nation
Military committed to democracy, Irabor speaks ahead of handover to Tinubu

CDS, General Lucky Irabor

Share on FacebookShare On WhatsappShare On Twitter

The Defence Headquarters of the Nigerian Army says it is not under pressure to compromise the 2023 general elections.

General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defence Staff, had at the 61st session of the State House Ministerial Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Aso Villa, Abuja, said military personnel were facing pressure through inducements, but the armed forces would remain apolitical.

READ ALSO

Samuel Meyiwa Khalil hails Delta gov for nominating Wilkie, Uduaghan for commissioners

H1′ 2023: NPA generates N191.4bn revenue, remits N55.7bn, projects N500bn revenue by year end

Butthe Defence Headquarters in a statement by its spokesperson, Major General Jimmy Akpor, said the statement of the CDS was misinterpreted.

The statement read, “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to several headlines and news purporting to suggest that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor CFR, had alluded to the military (and other security agencies) being under pressure to compromise the 2023 elections.

“This impression was reportedly made during the 61st Session of the State House Briefing, which featured the Chief of Defence Staff on 8 December 2022. 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. After the briefing by the Chief of Defence Staff, one of the correspondents asked, ‘You have spoken on military neutrality in times of elections. Specifically, based on what the Commander-in-Chief directed.

“Just this week, the President gave a directive to the Armed Forces to remain neutral during the 2023 elections. But my worry is that politicians have a way of piling pressure on security forces and we are witnesses to some of the things that occurred in the past exercises. Now, given this kind of scenario, where politicians or political actors try to pile pressure on your men, how far have you prepared to go to ensure that neutrality as directed by the President is protected?”

“In response, the Chief of Defence Staff said, ‘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 intends 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.’

“The Defence Headquarters chose to err on the side of verbosity by transcribing the entire response by the Chief of Defence Staff so that everyone can see the quantum misrepresentation of the Chief of Defence Staff’s comments during the briefing. The Armed Forces of Nigeria however, stands 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.”

 

 

Tags: 2023 elections NigeriaGeneral Lucky IraborJimmy Akpor

Related Posts

Samuel Meyiwa Khalil hails Delta gov for nominating Wilkie, Uduaghan for commissioners
The Nation

Samuel Meyiwa Khalil hails Delta gov for nominating Wilkie, Uduaghan for commissioners

July 19, 2023
H1' 2023: NPA generates N191.4bn revenue, remits N55.7bn, projects N500bn revenue by year end
The Nation

H1′ 2023: NPA generates N191.4bn revenue, remits N55.7bn, projects N500bn revenue by year end

July 19, 2023
Int'l NGO, Marie Stopes Nigeria, in alleged money laundering scandal - Report
Investigation

Int’l NGO, Marie Stopes Nigeria, in alleged money laundering scandal – Report

July 17, 2023
Lawyers ask TETFUND ES, Sonny Echono, to quit over alleged corruption
Investigation

Lawyers ask TETFUND ES, Sonny Echono, to quit over alleged corruption

July 17, 2023
Customers outraged, frustrated as GTBank Mobile app shuts down
The Nation

Customers outraged, frustrated as GTBank Mobile app shuts down

July 16, 2023
Children of Akwa Ibom ex-governor battle stepmother in court over property
The Nation

Children of Akwa Ibom ex-governor battle stepmother in court over property

July 10, 2023
Next Post
'You're seeking attention,' Mesut Özil slams critics of Cristiano Ronaldo

'You're seeking attention,' Mesut Özil slams critics of Cristiano Ronaldo

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

Categories

  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Inside Nigeria
  • Investigation
  • Lifestyle
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Profiles
  • Southern Witness
  • Sports
  • The Nation
  • The News
  • World

Recent Posts

  • Still in pursuit of symptoms of the malaise, By Elliot Uko
  • ODA President clears air on Okun leaders’ visit to Tinubu, says it wasn’t to promote any candidate
  • H1’23: Applause as FBN Holdings grows pre-tax profit to N206.2bn
  • Avanti Communications cements market-leading position in sub-Saharan Africa
  • NOVA Merchant Bank shareholders okay bank’s plan for full commercial banking operations
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2022 The Witness Newspaper | All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • The Nation
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Investigation
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • South Witness
  • World
  • Health

Copyright © 2022 The Witness Newspaper | All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.