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2023 elections: Army orders officers to be apolitical

The Nigerian Army has directed officers to remain apolitical in compliance with the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya.

The Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, (TRADOC NA), Maj.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, said this in Kano on Monday.

Olabanji, who was addressing members of the Panel for Captain to Major Practical Promotion Examination 2022 in Kano, said there was a need for officers to be seen to be neutral as the 2023 General election is around the corner.

He stated that the Code of Conduct guiding troops’ conduct before, during, and after the elections has been circulated to all the formations and units.

Olabanji tasked members of the Examination Panel on the need to uphold the sanctity and transparency of the system in order to add value.

He further enjoined them to be guided by the principles of fairness, objectivity and transparency in carrying out their duties.

The commander, however, urged them to use the opportunity to produce officers who would discharge their duties professionally and effectively.

He stressed the need for realistic and objective assessment of the whole processes in the course of the exercise, saying: “The Nigerian Army creates a new regime and template for effective training and retraining of its personnel with the view to producing well trained, highly professional and motivated manpower.”

Olabanji warned all those involved in the examination not to circumvent or compromise any aspect or process of the examination.

Doing that, he said, would guarantee the sanctity, objectivity, security and integrity of the examination processes at all times.

Also speaking at the event, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. TA Lagbaja, who was represented by the Commander 3 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. JO Are, welcomed the TRADOC team to the Brigade.

He said the objective of the examination was to broaden the knowledge and understanding of the candidates on various aspects of military operations.

He said the emphasis would be on Internal Security Operations, Hybrid Operations, Counter Terrorism, and Counter Insurgency Operations.

He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, for giving the Division the opportunity to host the examination and for providing the required financial and moral support.

The Star