Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor, has warned politicians and supporters of political parties to desist from using thugs to instigate violence during campaigns and the general elections next year.
General Irabor gave the warning Thursday, 16 June, at the Defence Headquarters Abuja, while briefing defence correspondents on the operational activities and the successes recorded by the troops.
TheFact Daily reports that General Irabor, who noted that the country was celebrating 23 years of democratic rule, said Nigeria military will not allow desperate politicians to launch violence during electioneering campaigns and elections, emphasizing that Nigeria must be peaceful.
“Going forward, Nigeria must be peaceful, for anyone looking forward to be elected must do it within the ambient of the provisions of the law”, the CDS said, warning that the military would not stand aloof while the country is thrown into chaos by desperate politicians.
He further disclosed that security agencies have been directed to ensure adequate safety of lives and property, before and during the elections, in line with the policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“Military is working very closely with the police and we are ready to be supportive.
“Nigeria belongs to us. We are going to a season that everyone desires to have a peaceful election, peaceful electioneering campaigns and then entering to the elections. Please don’t think it’s the responsibility of government, it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to ensure we have a peaceful electioneering period in order to have a country we would be proud of”.
He stressed further that without a country in the first place, there would be no political office for anyone to aspire to, and that “the most important thing regarding the forth coming elections is that we must be men and women who conduct ourselves peacefully”.
The Chief of Defence Staff warned also that any and all unauthorized persons in possession of any type of weapons during the elections or campaigns would be made to face the law.
