2015 Elections: Naval Officers Tasked On Political Stability

Officials of the Nigerian Navy have been asked to guard against aligning with politicians to avoid being used as tools of political instability during the general elections that are few days away.

The demand was made on Saturday by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, at the passing out parade of Direct Short Service Commission Course 22 Cadets into the Navy at the Nigerian Naval College Onne.

Air Chief Marshal Badeh reviewed the officers at the passing out parade which had the full complement of senior officers of the Nigerian Navy led by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin.

The Chief of Defence Staff told the officers to stay committed to the call to uphold the ideals of national security, especially as the nation prepares for elections.

Other persons at the event were family and friends of the newly admitted naval officers and guests.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has expressed its commitment to ensuring adequate security of lives and properties of Nigerians travelling by sea, to exercise their franchise during the elections.

The Navy gave the assurance, just as the Eastern Naval Command embarked on a show of force along the Calabar water ways, in preparation to support the Independent National Electoral Commission in handling and distribution of electoral materials.

Speaking to reporters after the seven kilometre exercise on the high sea, the representative of the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Atiku Abubakar, said, the essence of the trip before the elections was to allow personnel practice the act of providing security in the nation’s waters."