The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa on Tuesday has warned that any act of violence would not be condoned before, during, and after the off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states, said the military was prepared.
Reports say elections in the three states have been marred by violence in the past.
General Musa said this when the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Bello Mohammed Matawalle the Minister of State visited the Defence Headquarters ( DHQ) today, 24th October, 2023 to acquint themselves with the activities of the DHQ at the DHQ Abuja.
The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed the governorship elections in the three states for Saturday, November 11, 2023.
General Musa stressed that the military would stop at nothing to ensure the polls in the three states are devoid of violence.
He said, "We are also prepared for the coming elections in the three states of Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa states. I want to ensure that the election goes in fully democratically, without any fear or intimidation.
"We don't want any violence. I want to appeal to all stakeholders that it does nobody any good if anybody is killed because we have to go and vote. So it is important that we all put hands on deck. We will make sure that the elections are free and they are peaceful so that the results can also bring out what people actually want. "
Musa also said the Federal Government has allocated special funds for the treatment of soldiers wounded at the various theaters of operations across the federation.
He added that this was to boost the morale of troops on the frontline.
Musa said, "President, we want to say thank you for the improved funding for the armed forces. We know the situation on the ground that the armed forces is doing the best it can, but we are limited due to the dearth of funding.
"Also, there are special funds for medical. What we realise is the morale of our troops. They see how the injured are treated. If they're not treated well, they will never want to be committed. But we are happy to see how they are doing and we are happy that more have been promised and more will be done. "
Musa, however, assured the president that despite the wave of military coups in West Africa, the military would protect the nation's democracy.
He said, "We want to assure President and to you all Sir, that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is fully committed to democracy. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that we protect our nascent democracy and for it to thrive and to also extend same to the sub-region because we know we have the capacity and we are happy."
He then urged the minister to sign the harmonised terms and conditions of service.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar pledged that the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces will work together toward ridden the insecurities and challenges the country is facing.
He also thanked the CDS for taking personnel training a priority, and for taking it as one of the major areas and its yielding results. He also commended the CDS for the effort towards boosting morale of troops in all theatres of operations as they conduct regular visit and other inspirational programmes towards fighting troops.
He also reassured the Armed Forces of Nigeria of President support in terms of Equipments, improve in funding, accommodation for personnel, training of personnel, special funds for medical and so on.
He reiterated that President Tinubu believe that the way to solve insecurity in the country is to support the military , in which he has demonstrated.