2023 elections: Defence Chief, Irabor issues warning to politicians, others

2023 elections: Defence Chief, Irabor issues warning to politicians, others

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lucky Irabor, has warned politicians and their supporters who are planning to cause trouble during the 2023 general elections to desist.

Irabor gave the warning while addressing newsmen during the Defence Headquarters bi-weekly news briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

He said considering the fact that some individuals don’t usually desire peaceful elections, the armed forces would give the necessary support to the civil authority to ensure peaceful elections.

He said the armed forces will ensure a peaceful period in the coming elections so that everyone will have a country to be proud of.

The CDS advised those eying positions and appointments after elections to see themselves as men and women who conducted themselves peacefully.

“For anyone who is looking forward to being 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 office or appointive offices.

“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 among those or if you like, thugs that might have made themselves available for anyone to use.

“We are 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 and that is what we are looking forward to,” he said.