2023 Election: Buhari charges security agencies on professionalism

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday charged security agencies that would be engaged with various support services in the 2023 elections to maintain a high sense of professionalism.

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) said in a statement that while speaking at the commissioning of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) newly acquired Estate in Idu-Karmo, Abuja, 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.

”The significance of today’s occasion can be better understood by making the connection between shelter and productivity. This underpins the administration’s vision for provision of shelter to improve performance as well as comfort for workers, families and communities.

”This commissioning ceremony further avails another opportunity to reaffirm my confidence in the competence, commitment and achievements of the Defence Intelligence Agency’s giant strides achieved across the nation.

”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.

President Buhari, therefore, charged the new occupants to ensure the sustenance of the high standard of the facility.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the Agency towards meeting his administration’s housing policy of provision of housing to all Nigerians.

”The Agency’s investment in staff accommodation complements our vision of achieving improved national security,’’ he said, commending the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major-General Samuel Adebayo for the laudable achievement.

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