By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Nigerian military high command has alleged that it is being instigated to truncate the democratically elected government of Tinubu, saying such moves are “wicked and unpatriotic”.
The military while maintaining that it is better under a democratic rule assured that it would not be involved in any attempt to overthrow the government.
The Director, Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, a Brigadier-General, who stated this in a statement on Saturday, noted that the military would continue to perform its constitutional duties rather than plotting any coup against the present democratic administration.
The armed forces of Nigeria said it would not be distracted even as some Nigerians believe the military should step into governance over perceived failure of the civilian government.
Gusau said armed forces of Nigeria under the leadership of Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, would not for any reason involve in any form of insubordination.
“The reports calling on the military to interfere in our democracy is highly unpatriotic, wicked, and an attempt to distract the Armed Forces of Nigeria from performing its constitutional responsibilities,” the senior military said.
He also dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the troops of the Nigerian military were not well taken care of, noting that it would not allow any individual or group of individuals to instigate military officers against the present government.
“The Defence headquarters frowns at a report being circulated online about welfare issues in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. We wish to state unequivocally that the military is happy and better under democracy and will not get involved in any act to sabotage the hard-earned democracy in our country.
“While the leadership of the AFN gives priority to welfare of its personnel however, we detest any attempt by any individual or group to instigate the law-abiding Armed Forces of Nigeria to embark on any unconstitutional change of government in our country.
“The AFN under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa is determined to ensure complete subordination of the Armed Forces to constitutional authority under His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and will not be distracted from its roles that are well defined in the 1999 constitution (as amended).”
This comes on the heels of forceful power grab in Niger where the President, Mohamed Bazoum was on July ousted by the presidential guards unit of life military.
He along with family members have been in detention in the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani-led junta has vowed not to bow to the pressure of reinstating Bazoum in line with the demand of the regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Tchiani has equally threatened to kill Bazoum if ECOWAS makes any forceful attempt to engage in what it called restoration of constitutional order by reinstating Bazoum.
