- The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, affirmed the Nigerian military’s readiness to ensure peaceful and democratic governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States
- Gen. Musa called for stakeholder collaboration to prevent violence during the elections, emphasizing the military’s commitment to protecting the nation’s democracy
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has declared the readiness of the Nigerian military to ensure the peaceful and democratic conduct of the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States. He made this commitment during a visit to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, by the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru.
Gen. Musa emphasized that the military would not tolerate intimidation or violence during the elections in the three states and affirmed that efforts had been put in place to maintain peace and security before, during, and after the electoral exercise. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduled the gubernatorial elections in these states for Saturday, November 11, 2023.
He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure a peaceful, non-violent election. Gen. Musa stressed the importance of preventing loss of life due to political participation and encouraged a collaborative approach to achieving free and peaceful elections that reflect the people’s will.
The Chief of Defence Staff also disclosed that the federal government had allocated special funds to treat soldiers injured in various theatres of operations across the country, which would boost troop morale. He expressed gratitude for the improved funding of the armed forces, recognizing the challenges they face due to limited funding.
Gen. Musa urged the Minister of Defence to sign the harmonized terms and conditions of service. He assured that despite the wave of military coups in West Africa, the Nigerian military remains fully committed to protecting the nation’s democracy. It will do whatever it takes to ensure its safeguarding and advancement.
This commitment by the military leadership aims to create an environment that promotes democracy and secures the peaceful participation of citizens in the upcoming elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States.