Democracy has come to stay says army chief

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has declared that democracy has come to stay in the country and advised officers and men of the force to remain committed to the sustenance of democracy.
Declaring open the First Commanding Officers Workshop at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba, Plateau State, yesterday, he pledged the commitment of the army to democracy,  assuring Mr. President of the unalloyed loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army at all times.
“Let me note that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. In this wise, the Nigerian Army shall continue to remain a symbol of unity in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility. I therefore urge you to remain apolitical and be fully committed to the sustenance of democracy at all times”, he said.
Gen. Ihejirika said the workshop with the theme “Repositioning the Commanding Officers to Meet Contemporary Challenges” was designed to brainstorm on contemporary issues relating to their operations so as to update their knowledge as drivers of the new initiative towards improved operational efficiency in the force.
He noted that the challenges posed by internal security problems like ethno-religious upheavals, armed banditry, kidnapping and others had made the involvement of the army imperative and they must rise to the occasion in line with their constitutional responsibilities.
General Officer Commanding Three Armoured Division, Major General Sunday Idoko, on his part,  said the theme and topics chosen for the workshop were deliberately chosen in line with contemporary challenges and the dreams of the Chief of Army Staff.