A group, the Progressive Nigerian People’s Congress (PNPC), has urged Nigerians to rally behind the military in its final push to victory in the war against terrorism, even as it passed a vote of confidence on the country’s service chiefs.
PNPC made the call on Thursday at a press conference held in Lagos and addressed by its president, Desmond Abiona, whilst giving special kudos to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen TY Buratai, for his gallantry and leadership amid the spate of insecurity in the country.
This was as the group noted that some selfish elements were in unholy collaboration with criminal gangs to perpetuate criminality in parts of the country.
“As a first, we must state in unequivocal terms that the Nigerian military has been at the forefront of ensuring that the various internal security challenges bedevilling the country are curtailed. This is in addition to the arduous task of preserving the territorial integrity of our country.
“We wish to state that the sacrifices of the Nigerian military in the fight against terrorism has been outstanding and this has elicited commendations from far and near and as such it behoves on well-meaning Nigerians to imbibe a new attitude devoid of sentiments to that of patriotism towards the efforts of the Nigerian military. It is consequently our considered opinion that such disposition by the generality of Nigerians would spur the Nigerian military to defeat the terror gangs and their sponsors that have elected to destabilise Nigeria.
“The Progressive Nigerian People’s Congress, as a stakeholder in the Nigerian cause and one conversant with the dynamics involved in the security architecture in Nigeria, states that indeed some selfish elements are in bed with criminal gangs to perpetuate criminality in parts of the country,” Abiona stated.
Abiola, while restating the commitment of the group to sustenance of the ideals of democracy in the country through the instrument of advocacy and strategic engagement with critical stakeholders in government and the organised private sector, urged the people of Borno State to rally support for the operations of the military in the state and other parts of North-East Nigeria.
He said doing this would be in their best interest if they were indeed desirous of seeing to the return of peace and tranquillity to Borno State and thus creating an atmosphere for sustainable growth and development.
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“We wish to consequently encourage the people of Borno State to rally support for the operations of the Nigerian military in the state and other parts of North-East Nigeria, which in our opinion would be in their best interest if they are indeed desirous of seeing to the return of peace and tranquillity to Borno State and thus creating an atmosphere for sustainable growth and development.
“They must resist those few that have been conspiring to destroy the revered military in operation in North-East Nigeria. This is also applicable to the generality of Nigerians who must see through the gimmick of those that have refused to come to terms with the outcome of the 2019 general elections and have vowed to ensure that Nigeria does not know peace.
“The Progressive Nigerian People’s Congress is using this medium to acknowledge the enormous sacrifices of the Service Chiefs in Nigeria, particularly the Chief of Army Staff, who has continued to devise new strategies to curtail and ensure that the remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group are confined to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region in furtherance of final clearance operations.
“Thus, it behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to appreciate the efforts of the Service Chiefs who have displayed an unalloyed commitment to the restoration of peace and tranquillity in North-East Nigeria and other parts of the country. Nigerians must resist the gimmick of a few that have refused to allow peace reign and the few that are using their privileged positions to fan the embers of war.
“The Progressive Nigerian People’s Congress is using this medium to state in unequivocal terms that it’s indeed time for Nigerians to cheer our military to victory in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and other militant and politically sponsored criminal gangs in the country.
“The Progressive Nigerian People’s Congress wishes to state that Nigerians are appreciative of the efforts of the Nigerian military and would continue to extend its prayers and support to the ever-loyal and hardworking troops.
“The Progressive Nigerian People’s Congress as an organisation would continue to extend its support to the Nigerian Military in our quest for a better, vibrant, and prosperous Nigeria,” he added.
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