The Nigerian military has vowed to remain professional and non-partisan as it provides security before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said: “the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) 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”.
According to Olukolade, “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”.
There Nigerian military has been the subject of media bashing following the statement by Chairman of the Independent National Electoral commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, that the general elections was postponed as a result of a security report by the service chiefs, who said they could not provide cover for electoral officials due to their ongoing commitment against insurgency in the north east part of the country.
The Defence spokesman noted that while appreciating Nigerians who have been understanding of the peculiarity of the security challenges being managed by the Armed Forces at this period in the nation’s history, “the military is assuring all citizens that it recognizes the fact that the nation’s larger interest and her security is sacrosanct and beyond any political expediency or ulterior consideration”.
