President Muhammadu Buhari has charged security agencies saddled with various support services in next year’s general election to maintain a high sense of professionalism and remain impartial in the discharge of their duties.
Buhari spoke yesterday in Abuja at the inauguration of a newly acquired estate by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Idu-Karmo, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
President Buhari indicated that a compromise of the democratic process could also damage Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
According to him, “I have made it very clear to the security agencies that they have a responsibility to remain apolitical at all times. Under no circumstances should they get involved in anything that could compromise the democratic process, or bring disrepute to their institutions and to Nigeria.”
Buhari has spent the past months reiterating his resolve to peacefully handover power to whoever wins the 2023 general election.
His recent admonishment may not be unconnected with the failed move by the Department of Security Services, DSS to frame the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele of terrorism, and the plan by some unscrupulous Politicians to sack the INEC chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmud and prevent the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the 2023 general election.
There has been accusation and counter accusations over security agencies involvement in plots to derail the President Buhari backed CBN policies.
Despite the fact that Buhari has openly said he gave the CBN Governor the go ahead on such policies, politicians, using security agencies such as the DSS are still bent on causing problems in their selfish bid to rig the elections.
This statement by the president is believed to be an indirect message to security agencies and their political sponsors, to desist from any act that will undermine the CBN and INEC moves for credible elections and rather work towards stability and peaceful transition of power come May, 2023.