President Buhari has ordered the military to stay neutral during the 2023 election.
NewsOnline reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Armed Forces, especially the Army, to remain apolitical and continue to work within the nation’s constitutional stipulations.
The President, who spoke yesterday in Sokoto, where he declared the Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2022 open, also urged the Army to continue to improve its human rights obligations during operations, in line with global best practices.
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A statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said President Buhari pledged that his administration would sustain the modernisation drive of the nation’s Armed Forces, including the fast-tracking of the activation of the Nigerian Army Aviation.
Mr Buhari described improved human rights obligations by security agencies as “the major pathway for winning the hearts and minds of the people”.
Commenting on the 2023 general election, President Buhari noted that it is imperative for the Army, and other arms of the Armed, to support the civil authority by providing a peaceful environment for its successful conduct.
The President expressed delight that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, had issued a reviewed Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct to guide military personnel during the general election.
“The professionalism you exhibited in the successful conduct of the Anambra, Osun and Ekiti states’ elections should also be reflected in the 2023 general election,” he said.
On the theme of the conference: Building a Professional Nigerian Army for 21st Century Security Environment, President Buhari said it was imperative for the Army to consolidate the achievements it has so far recorded and ensure continuity to improve the country’s security situation.
“As a key element of our national power, the Nigerian Army will continue to be a major catalyst for our development, especially by providing the needed aid to civil authority.
“This administration has, therefore, maintained a robust policy towards modernisation of the Nigerian Army and the Armed Force Forces in general.
“It is evident that the ongoing progressive modernisation of the Nigerian Army under our administration has greatly improved the capabilities as well as the combat efficiency of the service to discharge its roles,” he said.
President Buhari hailed Lt.-Gen. Yahaya, and other Service Chiefs as well as heads of various security agencies for their determination and improved synergy in carrying out his directives.
Citing numerous equipment and facilities provided to boost the capability of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Buhari pledged that his administration would provide special intervention to fast-track the activation of the Nigerian Army Aviation.
“Additionally, is the acquisition of platforms for the Army Aviation, which has been considered in the 2023 budget.
“This modernisation drive would be vigorously sustained as efforts are also being made to reform our indigenous military industrial complex through partnership with our allies.
“I am optimistic that this objective will be achieved soon to make us self-reliant in meeting our defence needs,” he said.
President Buhari presented the Nigerian Army Recognition Awards to six Nigerians, including the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu; the Founder and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; and the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.).
Others are: the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia; the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, United Bank for Africa Plc and Transcorp Nigeria Plc, Tony Elumelu; and the immediate past Nigeria Ambassador to Benin Republic and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.).
The President, accompanied by Tambuwal, had paid homage to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saa’d Abubakar III.
The Sultan praised President Buhari for making mother tongue a compulsory medium of instruction from primary one to six and for reintroducing History as a subject at the basic educational level in the country.
Also, President Buhari has affirmed his administration’s resolve to hand over the leadership of the country to the next elected President, as mandated by the Constitution.
He gave the assurance while hosting the visiting Minister of National Education, Pre-School and Sports of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Shakib Ben Musa, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, as a Special Envoy of King Mohammed VI.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President said his term of office would end with the inauguration of a new President by next May.
