Defence and National Security

Nigeria's leadership position in Africa is presently unquestioned. In consequence of that position, we must have an efficiently trained, soundly equipped and professionally led Armed Forces in the continent. The Community of West African States is our immediate operational corridor, in which we have to face incalculable challenges of leadership and self, defense. But we also have commitments in the African Union of which only time will tell what is entailed. From time to time, we have been summoned to play part in United Nations peace keeping in Africa and beyond. Even within our own borders, zonal tensions, religious disturbances and ethnic unrest have created a climate in which combat-readiness is a pre-requisite for peace.

The objectives of the All Progressives Grand Alliance for defense and national security is to equip the Nigerian Armed Forces to meet these challenges.

i. APGA will ensure that the Nigerian Armed Force is professionally trained, disciplined, equipped with every modern engine of war, compact in size and fully mobile. It should be easily capable of repulsing any attack on our sovereignty, our territorial integrity, our economic interest or the democratic way of life enshrined in our Constitution.

ii. Compulsory training and re-training courses will be mandatory in all services of the Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police. In this regard the Armed Forces University in Zaria the Naval University in Oron and the Police College will be funded equipped and staffed to conduct their re-training programmes.

iii. In the re-training and motivation of our defence forces, it is important that emphasis be placed upon democratic values, the defence of the Federal Constitution and the humane basis of national peace and security. The politicization of the Armed Forces has itself been a source of conflict and insecurity. This fact should be born in mind in all prograrrune for the re-training and professionalisation of the men in uniform.

iv. APGA notes the extensive role which the Nigerian Army has to play in patrolling our long and porous national borders and the dependence of modern armies on sophisticated equipment. APGA also recognizes the need for combat- readiness to deal with both internal and external emergencies. These needs should clearly be reflected in appropriate budgetary provisions.

v. APGA will also give special attention to the training and equipment of the Nigerian Air Force as the service most capable of responding immediately and decisively in military emergencies.

vi. APGA will accord priority to the role of the Nigerian Navy as the force which must guard our territorial waters against aggression, piracy and smuggling and ensure security for the increasing exploitation of gas and oil resources in the Gulf of Guinea.

vii. APGA will ensure that our defense industries are funded and re-positioned to produce the military equipment we need. In this regard the mobilization of local scientists and technologists for this purpose will greatly enlarge the scope of our Armed Forces.

viii. APGA notes as a matter of course that salaries, barracks, uniforms and personal welfare for both the Armed Forces and the Police must he upgraded immediately.

ix. With regard to internal security. APGA will put into effect the proposals for new recruitment and massive re-training for all ranks in the Police Force. Sophisticated equipment and communication for combating crime will be provided And arrangements must he made on the ground to ensure that law enforcement is community based. The Police cannot achieve anything if they do not deserve and receive the co-operation of the people.

x. APGA notes that the role of State Governors as the Chief Security Officers of their states is a relatively empty formula. APGA will therefore, request the National Security Council to clarify the idea which is clearly relevant to on-going agitations for State Police Forces.

xi. APGA re-affirms its faith in democracy, good government, good neighbourliness and across-the-board consultations between all stakeholders as the ultimate guarantees of peace and security.

xii. APGA shall pursue a policy in which the accommodation of Policemen in Barracks shall be brought to a stop. APGA believes that Policemen shall live among the communities they are trained to protect.

xiii. APGA shall explore the possibility of selling-up a special fund for the Police force.