2015: Military Warns Politicians Against Inciting Comments
BY ABU IDRISU
The Defence Headquarters has enjoined politicians to stop making inflammatory and inciting remarks against the leadership of the Armed Forces.
The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, said in an electronic mail on Friday that the caution became necessary in view of insinuations and false claims being peddled by politicians concerning the ongoing trial of some soldiers for various offences in the military.
The Defence Headquarters was reacting to a statement credited to the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, that soldiers had the right of protest if the Federal Government did not equip them.
Olukolade said that the military institution considered the statement as unacceptable and rejected it stressing that the military laws were enshrined in the constitution to take care of the affairs of the Armed Forces.
Olukolade advised the politicians to refrain from exploiting political campaigns to undermine the military.
He said that the military authorities had expected an immediate correction of the statement in view of the level of knowledge of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen Mohammadu Buhari in such matters, but had to resort to the statement when it became obvious that there were no moves to correct the impression.
He said, “In view of the series of insinuations, allegations and false claims being made by certain activists and politicians on the legal and disciplinary process in the Nigerian military, the Defence Headquarters finds it necessary to call on politicians to avoid using the forum or medium of their political campaigns to incite or endorse acts of indiscipline in the nation’s military establishments.
“This call has become necessary as the trend got to another level on Tuesday when a prominent politician declared that ‘The soldiers have the right to protest for the Federal Government’s failure to fully equip them’.
“It was expected that the fellow quoted or his party would have made immediate moves to correct this fallacy or erroneous impression being propagated especially in view of the level of knowledge of his principal and candidate in the forthcoming elections. Unfortunately, no such gesture seems to be forthcoming.
“There is therefore the need to caution against the propagation of this dangerous idea before it causes more problems. For the avoidance of any doubt, the military institution rejects this declaration and its intention in all ramifications.
“The military law as recognised by the Constitution of the Federation is an appropriate legal document for the management of affairs of the military. The processes it outlines for handling military offences remain legal and will continue to be applied in the interest of the nation’s security and democracy.”
He advised the populace to avoid comments on the ongoing military operation which are inimical to the image of the military.
Olukolade said that the call on soldiers to mutiny would not be beneficial to anybody in the society.
“The Nigerian military reiterates its commitment to defending the nation’s democracy. Individuals and personalities are enjoined to refrain from pronouncement and attitude that seek to undermine the established justice/disciplinary procedures and processes of the military system. This counsel is very vital to the excellent civil-military relations which is crucial to the nation’s development.”
The Defence Headquarters has enjoined politicians to stop making inflammatory and inciting remarks against the leadership of the Armed Forces.
The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, said in an electronic mail on Friday that the caution became necessary in view of insinuations and false claims being peddled by politicians concerning the ongoing trial of some soldiers for various offences in the military.
The Defence Headquarters was reacting to a statement credited to the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, that soldiers had the right of protest if the Federal Government did not equip them.
Olukolade said that the military institution considered the statement as unacceptable and rejected it stressing that the military laws were enshrined in the constitution to take care of the affairs of the Armed Forces.
Olukolade advised the politicians to refrain from exploiting political campaigns to undermine the military.
He said that the military authorities had expected an immediate correction of the statement in view of the level of knowledge of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen Mohammadu Buhari in such matters, but had to resort to the statement when it became obvious that there were no moves to correct the impression.
He said, “In view of the series of insinuations, allegations and false claims being made by certain activists and politicians on the legal and disciplinary process in the Nigerian military, the Defence Headquarters finds it necessary to call on politicians to avoid using the forum or medium of their political campaigns to incite or endorse acts of indiscipline in the nation’s military establishments.
“This call has become necessary as the trend got to another level on Tuesday when a prominent politician declared that ‘The soldiers have the right to protest for the Federal Government’s failure to fully equip them’.
“It was expected that the fellow quoted or his party would have made immediate moves to correct this fallacy or erroneous impression being propagated especially in view of the level of knowledge of his principal and candidate in the forthcoming elections. Unfortunately, no such gesture seems to be forthcoming.
“There is therefore the need to caution against the propagation of this dangerous idea before it causes more problems. For the avoidance of any doubt, the military institution rejects this declaration and its intention in all ramifications.
“The military law as recognised by the Constitution of the Federation is an appropriate legal document for the management of affairs of the military. The processes it outlines for handling military offences remain legal and will continue to be applied in the interest of the nation’s security and democracy.”
He advised the populace to avoid comments on the ongoing military operation which are inimical to the image of the military.
Olukolade said that the call on soldiers to mutiny would not be beneficial to anybody in the society.
“The Nigerian military reiterates its commitment to defending the nation’s democracy. Individuals and personalities are enjoined to refrain from pronouncement and attitude that seek to undermine the established justice/disciplinary procedures and processes of the military system. This counsel is very vital to the excellent civil-military relations which is crucial to the nation’s development.”
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