Victor EzejaFormer lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has warned those Instigating and encouraging the Nigerian Army to carry out a military coup to stop as the Chief of Army Staff has declared that they have no intention to intervene in the Country’s democracy.
Sani said such action is unpatriotic and does not serve anyone any good if the country’s democracy is wrecked by a military coup. He urged the instigators to desist from such narrative and seek forgiveness from God.
In a statement via his X handle, Sani said: “The Nigerian Army through the Chief of Army Staff has assured that they will not intervene and wreck down democracy. That is pleasing. Those of you instigating, encouraging, and provoking them should please stop and seek forgiveness from God.”
Prime Business Africa reports that Sani’s comment follows the declaration by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja on Tuesday in Abuja that the military supports the democratic system of government in the country and has no desire to truncate it.
The Army Chief’s statement comes amidst a series of coup allegations against the military in recent times.
He assured that the personnel would continue to fulfil their mandates as outlined in the constitution.
He said: “Permit me to seize this opportunity to reiterate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly the Nigerian Army, has come to terms with the country’s choice of democracy as the preferred system of governance.
“We are therefore agents of democracy and have no desire to truncate it. The Nigerian Army will continue to defend our constitution and not suspend it for whatever reason.
“It is the duty of our elected leaders to lead while the military does its job as enshrined in our constitution. Nigerian Army personnel must therefore remain professional and be above board as they discharge their constitutional duties.”
Coup Allegations
Earlier in February, there were some rumours that the Presidential Guards Brigade had been put on high alert following suspicious movements around the seat of power, indicating fears of a coup plot. The Defence Headquarters had, however, dismissed the allegations.
The statement reads in part: “The Defence Headquarters wishes to categorically state that the allegation is totally false.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Guards Brigade has been statutorily assigned the responsibility of protecting the seat of power (The Presidency) and by extension the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.
“Hence, it is to be noted that the Guards Brigade has always been on high alert in order to effectively executive its assigned tasks.
“It will be recalled that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa had in various fora reiterated the unalloyed commitment of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the protection and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
The rumours of incursion into politics come on the heels of a wave of military coups in Africa such as Mali, Burkina Faso, the Niger Republic, and Gabon. Subsequently, the trio of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Their exit from ECOWAS is said to have some economic implications for the three countries and also poses a significant threat to regional security, especially in West Africa.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
