Military debunks coup plot rumours after polls shift

The Armed Forces yesterday debunked the rumoured plot to subvert the present democracy and return the country to the dark days of military rule.

The military also absolved itself of partisan politics, alleged plans to support interim government or subversion of the electoral processes and anything capable of truncating the nation’s democracy.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuja stressed that the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, held the country’s interests, security and constitution sacrosanct, vowing to deal with any military personnel found to be undermining the service oath, constitution or the ongoing electoral processes.

The military has come under fire for allegedly being pushed forward as the primary cause for the shift in the elections dates by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The decision has attracted condemnation locally and internationally.

The recent allegations of the military demonstrating lack of focus and will in fighting the Boko Haram insurgents as well as being biased against the opposition are fast eroding the people’s confidence in the military.

The DHQ, however, urged Nigerians to insulate the military from partisan politics and develop some level of trust for it.

It said that interfering with democratic rule was even unthinkable within the military as the country “is faring much better under democratic and civil than military government.

Part of the statement reads: “The Defence Headquarters has noted the palpable tension being generated in certain quarters with regards to the roles of the Nigerian military in the ongoing political activities and recent developments especially in relation to the electioneering programmes in the country.

“Accordingly, it has become necessary to reassure all citizens that the Nigerian armed forces remains committed to its duty in working to ensure the sustenance of peace, law, order and stability in the country before, during and after the forthcoming elections.

“It is also important to reassure Nigerians that the military will, while working with all security agencies and stakeholders in the process, remain professional, apolitical and non-partisan in all operations or activities related to this crucial exercise.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is quite conscious of the fact that apart from its primary constitutional role of defending the country from external aggression and internal insurrection, it also has the responsibility of providing support in aid of civil authority such as the need to provide complementary security arrangement to protect our electoral process.

“It is on record that the military has successfully lived up to its responsibility while discharging this duty during previous elections without equivocation.

“In this instance, all military personnel have been reminded and warned to remain ever conscious of their service oath and solemn commitment to protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria even while remaining loyal to constituted authorities in the country.

“No excuse will be acceptable for any act of commission or omission that tend to compromise the law or the electoral process and decent conduct or judgment on the part of any service personnel while discharging duties related to elections in any part of the country.

“While expressing deep appreciation to Nigerians who have remained calm and understanding of the peculiarity of the security challenges being managed by the armed forces at this auspicious period in the nation’s history, the military is unequivocally assuring all citizens that it recognises the fact that the nation’s larger interest and her security is sacrosanct and beyond any political expediency or ulterior consideration.

“It is, therefore, advised that Nigerians should also endeavour to insulate the military from partisan politics and retain their confidence in its neutrality and sense of patriotism at this critical point.

“Indeed, the leadership, in particular, the Chief of Defence Staff and the service chiefs, being products and beneficiaries of the nation’s democratic processes themselves, continue to cherish highly the nation’s democracy.

“They will, therefore, not engage in, condone or encourage any act that has capacity to undermine or subvert any aspect of the democratic processes. – National mirror.

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