The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, yesterday declared that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria, pledging the military’s readiness to give the necessary support to the Nigeria Police and other internal security agencies to ensure a crisis-free general election in the country this year.

Speaking after laying the wreath at the National Arcade, Abuja, to mark the celebration, Irabor said: “Be rest assured that the armed forces will remain solidly behind the police to give them all the support as required for the 2023 general election.”

Fielding questions from journalists about the military’s readiness for the forthcoming polls, the CDS said although the police would remain the frontline security outfit during the elections, the armed forces would support it from the rear.

“I’m sure you know that the police are on the lead. I have been discussing with the IG (Inspector-General of Police) and of course, we’ve also made contingencies should we be required to give support to the police as the election is conducted.

“I think for Nigerians, be rest assured that the armed forces remain solidly behind the police to be able to give them all the support as required.”

He also assured Nigerians that the country’s democracy faces no threat from a military coup as witnessed recently in some West African states.

“Democracy has come to stay. Government of the people, by the people and for the people in Nigeria has come to stay. That is an assurance,” he added.

Irabor also described the ceremony as an occasion of gratitude that some Nigerians deemed their country as worth dying for.

He said: “Remembrance Day celebration is not a day of mourning. It is the day that we need to give thanks to God; that men and women of this great nation once served, are serving and will continue to serve this country.

“That we have that level of love for the country that men and women have committed to and, if need be, sacrifice their lives so that the rest of us can be alive. I think it’s a worthy thing.”