‘Don’t compromise democratic processes’ Buhari warns security agencies

With barely eight weeks to the 2023 presidential elections, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday, warned security agencies to eschew behaviours that could compromise the democratic process.

He said those involved in handling sensitive election materials must uphold a high sense of professionalism in discharging their duties.

According to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said this when he inaugurated the Defence Intelligence Agency’s newly acquired Estate in Idu-Karmo, Abuja.

The statement is titled ‘2023 polls: President Buhari charges security agencies to maintain professionalism in handling, distribution of classified materials’.

The President urged the agencies to handle the distribution and monitoring of classified materials and other logistics ‘‘professionally and in accordance with Standing Operation Procedures.’’

Reiterating his earlier directive to security agencies to remain apolitical, the President said they must desist from behaviour that could bring disrepute to their organisations and the country ‘‘by compromising the democratic process.’’

On the newly acquired DIA Estate, the President said the befitting accommodation would enhance productivity and coordination of activities of staff of the Agency in view of increasing number of personnel to face new challenges and responsibilities.

However, he warned that the facility would not live up to its envisaged benefits without diligent maintenance.

”The significance of today’s occasion can be better understood by making the connection between shelter and productivity.

”I am confident that these new premises will yield enormous shelter dividends to the Defence Intelligence Agency staff, their families and to the host locality.

”The acquisition of this accommodation is a great leap forward, but the envisaged benefits would be aborted without diligent maintenance,’’ he said.

Therefore, Buhari urged the new occupants to ensure the sustenance of the high standard of the facility.

While commending the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj. Gen. Samuel Adebayo, for the achievement, Buhari said the DIA’s investment in staff accommodation complemented his government’s vision of achieving improved national security.

In his remarks, the CDI thanked Buhari for inaugurating the new Estate, noting that the project would always be remembered by the DIA community as the President’s legacy gift for the Year 2022.

According to Adebayo, the newly inaugurated staff quarters contain 16 units of three-bedroom terrace buildings with boys’ quarters and 48 units of three-bedroom flats all in suite.

He added that one of the blocks of six units of flats and two units of terrace buildings had been furnished as proto-types while the rest would be furnished in the Year 2023 Budget implementation cycle.

On the operations of the Agency, Adebayo expressed appreciation to the President for approving their requests for technical intelligence and advanced technological acquisitions.

He announced that most of the newly procured technical equipment had been deployed and were helping to address the security challenges across the country.

(Punch)