The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, has warned personnel of the Nigerian Navy from engaging in partisan politics, saying anyone found wanting would be severely sanctioned.
“This is more so that as we enter the election period, we urge you all to be non-partisan and not engage in any party activities. Your right is to vote, get your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), cast your vote and go back to your home. We do not expect that you engage in any electioneering process. Anybody found doing that will be severely sanctioned,” he said.
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, Gambo stated this Saturday during the Nigerian Navy Second Quarter Route Match in Abuja.
He urged personnel to be law abiding and maintain cordial relationships with civilian populace and relevant stakeholders, warning them not to engage in any acts that could bring disrepute to the Service in the course of their duties.
He said: “Let me 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 improved relationships with our 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 Armed Forces. Similarly, we can only be proud if their safety and wellbeing is assured as law abiding citizens.
“On this note, I urge you to be more professional in the conduct of your duties and day to day activities. Furthermore, I must encourage you not to engage in any acts of misdemeanor or taking the laws into your hands that could bring disrepute to the Service in the course of duty. The Nigerian Navy will continue to support you by way of providing all the needs to function optimally in the area of your responsibilities. Additionally, I enjoin you all to show dedication to duty and unflinching support to our democracy and constituted authority.”
According to him, the route march was aimed at developing personnel physical and mental alertness to meet the dynamics of contemporary security operations.
He noted that it is also targeted at fostering esprit de corps and providing an avenue for relaxation.
“It is important to state that operational efficiency and combat readiness are predicated on mental and physical fitness of the armed forces.
“In the face of the current security challenges in the country, the need to keep personnel fit for operation cannot be overemphasized. That is why fitness and mental alertness are among the critical elements of the CNS policy thrust. Therefore, this Route March is targeted at keeping us fit for optimal performance in the discharge of our constitutional roles as naval personnel.
“Indeed, physical fitness and mental alertness are essential for combat readiness of Service personnel at all times. It is therefore pertinent to note that the 2022 Second Quarter Route March is amongst other events aimed at achieving these objectives,” he said.
