Naval Chief Warns Commanders Against Partisan Politics

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo has warned officers, operational commanders, and ratings to stay away from partisan politics.

He also charged them to desist from unprofessional conduct that would tarnish the image of the Nigerian Navy during the 2023 elections.

Vice-Admiral Gambo, stated this to newsmen during a sensitisation meeting with senior officers, operational commanders and flag commandants at the Navy’s Headquarters in Abuja yesterday.

He promised to work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies towards ensuring that 2023 general election holds peacefully across the country. He restated that the Nigerian Navy has a mandate to ensure that there is peace in the country.

He said, “At this particular time when we are going to have elections, we have been mandated to ensure that the elections go very free and fai.,”

Gambo added that, working with other security agencies, “the Nigerian Navy will ensure that the safe passage of election materials, sensitive materials, as well as INEC officials is guaranteed.”

“ I encourage you not to engage in any acts of misdemeanor or taking laws into your hands that would bring the service to disrepute in the course of duty,” he said.

He, therefore, enjoined personnel to be more professional in the conduct of their duties and day to day activities.

He said, “As a Service, we are indebted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous and uncommon support to the Nigerian Navy, which has manifested in these massive strides in every sphere of the Nigerian Navy’s endeavours, we cannot but continue to deliver on our mandates as a way of appreciation for this tremendous support.”

On the rate of crime in the maritime environment, Vice-Admiral Gambo reiterated the determination of the Navy to ensure sanity is maintained, to keep the economy of the nation strong, and stop all forms of criminality in the maritime environment.

He assured that the Navy would continue to work with other security agencies to ensure peace and development across the country and warned the personnel to stay away from partisan politics and desist from unprofessional conduct.