The Nigerian Military has warned politicians against inciting violence before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
It warned that any political thug caught during electioneering period or on election day would be seriously dealt with.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, made this known during the operational briefing of the military in Abuja on Thursday.
He stressed that the desire to have a peaceful general election by Nigerians must come to fruition.
Irabor said, “We are going towards a season that every one of us has been desiring, the desire to have peaceful electioneering campaigns and then elections.
“Please do not think that is just the responsibility of government, it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that we have a peaceful electioneering period so that every one of us will have a country that we will be proud of.
“If we don’t have a country, then, there will be no appointive positions to aspire for. So, the most important thing regarding this election that is coming, is that we must be men and women that conduct ourselves peacefully. ”
Irabor warned that the military would not fold its arms and watch politicians cause unrest in the country.
He urged candidates contesting various positions to eschew violence.
Irabor said, “For anyone who is looking forward to being elected, he must do it within the ambit of the provisions of the law. Because we will not in any way, stand aside and see those who perpetrate violence all because they are looking for political offices, appointive offices.
“Nigeria remains a nation that must live in peace, desire to live in peace, and Nigerians deserve to live in peace. And so, we will not allow criminals amongst those or if it is like thugs that might have made themselves available for anyone to use, we will not allow it.
“We’re working very closely with the police and we stand ready to give them all the support that is necessary, because going forward, Nigeria must be peaceful that’s what we’re looking forward to. “