As Nigeria marked this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, an annual event to commemorate the nation’s servicemen and fallen heroes, the Chief of Defense Staff, Sunday, General Lucky Irabor, has dismissed the thought of any possibility of the military taking over power in Nigeria.
This is as the Chief of Defence Staff declared that democracy has come to stay in the country.
He also said as the nation’s is preparing for the conduct of its presidential election, the Armed Forces would work solidly behind the Nigerian Police Force, which is the lead security agency to ensure safe, free and fair general elections.
The CDS spoke in Abuja after the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations.
While addressing a press conference, Irabor said, “Never again, will we see men in uniform take power.
“Let me say, democracy has come to stay. I mean, government of the people, by the people and for the people in Nigeria has come to stay. That is an assurance, and then of course for the elections, I am sure you know, that the police are on the lead.
“I have been discussing with the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and of course, we have also made contingencies should we be required to give support to the police as the election is conducted. I think for Nigerians, you are rest assured that the Armed Forces remain solidly behind the police to be able to give them all the support as required.”
On the remembrance day celebrations, he said: “The Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration is not a day of mourning. It is the day that we need to give thanks to God, that men and women of this great nation once served, are serving and will continue to serve this country.
“And that we have that level of love for country that men and women have committed to and, if need be, sacrifice their lives so that the rest of us can be live. I think it’s a worthy thing.
“So, today, it is a very unique day, that the nation has set it aside to value, to place a premium on the services and honouring the services of men or women of our great country.
“And I think that is the message that has gone across to all personnel of the armed forces. So, we are more motivated to continue to play our part.
“And then for the veterans to also know that their services, the sacrifices that they made is not in vain, which, of course, is quite motivating for them too.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari; Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (retd), and service chiefs, on Sunday honoured Nigeria’s fallen heroes with Buhari laying a wreath at the National Arcade, Abuja to mark the grand finale of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations.
Among others who joined the wreath-laying ceremony were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba Alkali.
President Buhari later signed the Remembrance Day register and released the pigeons, which signifies peace in the nation.
