The Nigerian military says it has what it takes and also ready to defend the nation’s democracy against internal and external interference.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya gave the assurances to President Muhammadu Buhari and declared the Army’s commitment to his government and the 1999 Constitution.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Quarter COAS Conference 2022 in Abuja.
The COAS assured that the Army would provide the necessary security assistance to ensure the successful conduct of the forthcoming polls.
Yahaya’s assurance came weeks after the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris while receiving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the White House said it feels “very strongly” about the need for Nigeria to sustain its democratic rule to serve as an example to its African counterparts.
Kamala acknowledged Nigeria’s efforts in “tackling the democratic backsliding that they have been seeing in West Africa”, adding that the country “must remain a bastion of democracy for West Africa.”
Speaking along such insinuation and possible threat to the nation’s democracy, Lt. Gen. Yahaya assured that the military will provide a secure environment for the conduct of the 2023 general election through ‘Operation Safe Conduct’.
He noted that the military is committed to discharging its constitutional responsibilities, as it is constantly reviewing its Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for officers and soldiers that would be deployed during the general elections.
“I want to assure of the unalloyed loyalty of the officers and soldiers to the President, Commander-in-Chief, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Army Chief declared.
Yahaya further directed all Army commanders to ensure that all personnel deployed for security duties during the election period were given personal copies and educated on the guidelines provided in the document.