Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, has urged naval personnel across the country to remain neutral and apolitical.
The Naval Chief also assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Navy would assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian police to ensure hitch free elections when called upon.
Vice-Admiral Gambo stated this in Abuja on Saturday, during the fourth quarter route march of the Navy.
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Navy, Rear-Admiral Suleiman Garba, he reiterated the determination of the Navy to stop oil theft and all forms of criminality in the maritime environment.
“I wish to remind you all that that our country is approaching yet another election year with the kickoff of campaigns by political parties nationwide. The naval headquarters has therefore drawn up rules and regulations for naval personnel during the forthcoming elections.
“Apart from exercising your civic responsibility, you will also be expected to assist the INEC and the police to ensure a hitch free election when called upon. I therefore urge you to remain neutral and apolitical. On this note, I enjoy you to be more professional in the conduct of your duties and your day to day activities.
” Furthermore, I must encourage you not to engage in any act of misdemeanor or taking laws into your hands that will bring the service into disrepute. The Nigerian Navy will continue to support you by providing all you need to function optimally in all the areas of your responsibilities,” he said.
According to him, physical fitness and mental alertness are essential for combat readiness of serving personnel at all times.
He said the route match offers personnel the opportunity to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing in order to meet the dynamics of contemporary security operations.
“The route match is aimed at developing personnel physical and mental alertness to meet the dynamics of contemporary security operations. It’s also targeted at fostering esprit de corps and providing an avenue for relaxation. It’s important to state that operational efficiency and combat readiness are predicated on sound mental and physical fitness of personnel.
“In the face of the current security challenges in the country, the need to keep personnel physically fit for operations cannot be overemphasized. That is why physical fitness and mental alertness are among the critical elements of the Chief of the Naval Staff policy thrust aimed at emplacing a sound mind in a sound body. Therefore, this route match is targeted at keeping us fit for optimal performance in the discharge of our constitutional responsibilities as naval personnel.
“Let me also use this opportunity to draw your attention to the need to continue to be law abiding citizens and at the same time stress the need to maintain cordial and improve relationships with the civilian populace and relevant stakeholders. This is more so that your duty to defend the territorial integrity of our fatherland will be meaningless if the Nigerian populace is not enjoying harmonious relationship with the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
The exercise commenced from the Naval Unit, Asokoro, Abuja, through the AYA juncture back to the base.
