The Nigerian Armed Forces, under the command of Gen. Lucky Irabor, have received praise from peace coalition for the peaceful Easter celebrations and the peaceful general elections.
The Peace Coalition claimed that the remarkably amicable celebration was proof that the troops’ and other security personnel’s diligent efforts had not gone unnoticed.
National president Bishop Sunday Garba said at a press conference in Abuja that the military under General Irabor had consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism and fidelity to the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution when it counted most.
Garba called the Defense Chief a charismatic leader who had instituted admirable reforms that had led to the present-day peace and tranquility felt throughout the nation.
The cleric stated that the soldiers has before faced accusations of partisanship and a lack of professionalism in the performance of their duty.
With Irabor in charge, the troops, he claimed, have demonstrated a wholly new level of patriotism, commitment, and service to the country.
He said: “It gives me great pleasure to address this press conference in praise of the efforts made by the Armed Forces and other security agencies to uphold peace and order throughout the nation during and after the recently completed general elections.
It is a declaration that the intensely contested elections produced a palpable sense of tension and dread about the future of the nation. It was so bad that we feared the worst. But we give God praise for his favor shown to Nigeria.
“The National Coalition for Peace in Nigeria acknowledges the efforts of crucial players in preventing the enemies of Nigeria from using the concerns about the elections to spark an ethnoreligious conflict in order to realize their long-standing ambition to destabilize and dissolve the country.
“The unity of Nigeria is sacred, and this has truly been our motto, as evidenced by the numerous appeals we have made to individuals, organizations, and religious and ethnic associations throughout the nation. The aspiration for a unified Nigeria, which is achievable with the help of stakeholders like the Nigerian Military and other sister security agencies, continues to rule the national conversation.
“We value the leadership efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff, General LEO Irabor, who oversaw the Nigerian Military’s high level of professionalism and fidelity to the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution in the most crucial situations.
The current smooth cooperation between the security services is evidence of General LEO Irabor’s leadership abilities since he took office as the Chief of Defence Staff.
“We have met with the leadership of the Nigerian Military on multiple times as an organization promoting peace in Nigeria, and the pledge and commitment to maintaining the nation’s territorial integrity have remained unwavering.
This much was demonstrated prior to, during, and following the general elections, during which the security services demonstrated their role as the bulwark of our fledgling democracy. The fact that the nation is at peace and tranquility is a glad testament to the security agencies’ impartiality and competence, which discerning entities and groups must applaud.
The Nigerian Military’s position in support of the nation’s citizens and democracy is noteworthy. We also value the fact that General LEO Irabor and the leadership of the Armed Forces have established themselves as distinctive and exceptional commanders whose allegiance to Nigeria cannot be questioned.
“This is different from the past, when the military was criticized for being politicized and acting unprofessionally while performing its constitutionally recognized duty and obligations. One might refer to General LEO Irabor as the nation’s defense pearl. He is a dynamic commander who has implemented admirable changes in the Armed Forces that have led to the peace and tranquility now enjoyed throughout the nation.
To achieve the Nigeria of our dreams, where peace and harmony rule supreme, the Coalition asked the CDS and his troops to keep up the pressure until all security issues in the nation are resolved.
Garba continued, “Our commendation also goes to President Muhammadu Buhari, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for enabling our security agencies to effectively carry out their duty.
“President Muhammadu Buhari continues to be one of this nation’s outstanding leaders. It supports the idea that if there is a will, there will undoubtedly be a way.
“We applaud the tremendous efforts made by the Nigerian Military and other security agencies to uphold peace and tranquility. We collectively commit to providing the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with unwavering support in the future. God, in his unending mercy, will give our security agency officials the grace and discernment to make decisions that are in the best interests of the nation as a whole.
