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2023: Don’t Set Nigeria On Fire, Military Warns Politicians, Supporters
Ahead of the 2023, general election, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has warned politicians, especially those seeking political offices and their supporters not to set the country on fire with their utterances and actions.
The DHQ, has also warned political thugs and miscreants who are planning to cause havoc with their activities during the 2023 general election to have a rethink or have themselves to blame.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, who gave the warning at the Defence Headquarters bi-weekly media briefing, said the military would no longer fold its hands to watch miscreants, political thugs and unpatriotic politicians set the country on fire.
Irabor, who joined the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, at the briefing on the updates of military operations conducted across the country held in Abuja, advised those contesting for positions and appointments to conduct themselves peacefully as men and women of honour as there would be no position to aspire for if the country is set on fire.
He said any political thug caught before, during and after the electioneering processes would be severely dealt with.
The CDS, who appealed for peace to reign as the nation goes into another major election, said “If we don’t have a country, then, there will be no appointive positions to aspire for. So, the most important thing regarding this election that is coming is that we must be men and women that conduct ourselves peacefully, and I need you, members of the press to drive this message to everyone.
“For anyone who is looking forward to be elected, he must do it within the ambit of the provisions of the law, because we will not in any way, stand aside and see those who perpetrate violence all because they are looking for political offices, appointive offices.
Irabor said “Nigeria remains a nation that must live in peace, desire to live in peace, and Nigerians deserve to live in peace. And so, we will not allow criminals amongst those or if it is like thugs that might have made themselves available for anyone to use, we will not allow it.
“We’re working very closely with the police and we stand ready to give them all the support that is necessary, because going forward, Nigeria must be peaceful that’s what we’re looking forward to”.
The CDS, who commended the media for their contributions to a peaceful nation, appealed to the media to continue to educate Nigerians on the need to trust the military with actionable information in the dealing with security challenges, as issues of insecurity does not only rest with the military and security agencies.
He said “Nigeria belongs to every one of us and we have a duty to contribute in one way or the other in ensuring that criminals amongst us are exposed and dealt with.
“I’d like to thank every one of you for the efforts you’re making, and to please sustain those efforts. Nigeria belongs to us. Now we’re going towards a season that every one of us has beendesiring that we have a peaceful election, peaceful electioneering campaigns and then entering into the elections.
He said “I’m glad Mr. President has told us, in the history of our nation, what the desires are, but please do not think that is just responsibility of government, it is every one of us that will ensure that we have a peaceful electioneering period and the incoming 2023 elections, so that everyone of us will have a country that we will be proud of”.
Speaking on conspiracy by some military personnel with kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements to jeopardise military operations, the CDS told journalist that several personnel of the three armed forces caught in the acts are currently facing various court martial in different units formations across the country.
Irabor, who assured that the accused personnel would be made to face the full wrath of law for being internal saboteurs with the military, however, refused to disclose the number of officers undergoing court martial.
On the update of the recent attack on a Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State the CDS, said that efforts are in top gear to arrest perpetrators of the dastardly acts and bring them to Justice.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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