The Defence Headquarters has frowned at some requests for the country’s armed forces to interfere in the democratic process of the country.
This comes on the heels of a recent allegation of poor welfare among troops across the services.
A statement issued by Defence Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau described the request as wicked and unpatriotic.
The statement reads in part, “The Defence Headquarters frown at a report being circulated online about welfare issues in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The report’s call 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.”
General Gusau clarified that the DHQ does not joke with the welfare of its personnel.
He also warned that the military should not be instigated against the system of government in place in the country.
Gusau stressed that the military was happy and better under a democratic system of government.
He said, “While the leadership of the AFN gives priority to the 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.
“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.”
He said the military under the leadership of Chief Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa is loyal to the president and the constitution of Nigeria.
“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 will not be distracted from its roles that are well defined in the 1999 constitution (as amended), ” the statement added.
The statement by the Nigerian military comes two weeks after Niger President, Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by his elite presidential guard which has received the backing of the restive West African nation military.
The coup plotters have since detained Bazoum after his government was toppled. They have also rebuffed all entreaties and ignored sanctions and condemnation from the West Africa regional bloc, ECOWAS, and the international communities.
Kanyi Daily recalls that the West Africa regional bloc, ECOWAS on Thursday, resolved to deploy troops in Niger after the military junta refused to restore democracy.
Meanwhile, an aide to President Bola Tinubu, Temitope Ajayi has said the decision of the planned military intervention in Niger against the coup leaders is purely an affair of ECOWAS and not that of his principal or Nigeria.
