Army warns Amaechi, others over inciting comments, APC replies

by Kolapo Olapoju

 

The Nigerian military has reacted to the recent comment of Rotimi Amaechi, where he urged Nigerian troops to demand for improved welfare package and necessary equipment and arms to engage the enemy.

On Tuesday, December 23, the Rivers state governor had stated that “The soldiers have the right to protest for the Federal Government’s failure to fully equip them”.

The army has now released a statement, imploring politicians and activists to desist from using “the forum or medium of their political campaigns to incite or endorse acts of indiscipline in the military establishments”

In the release signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, the army said it expected Amaechi and his party, All Progressives Congress, to have immediately retracted or “correct this fallacy or erroneous impression being propagated especially in view of the level of knowledge of his principal and candidate in forthcoming elections”.

According to the statement, since no such move was made, “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 recognized 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.”

“Individuals and interest groups seeking to play to the gallery by being meddlesome, sensational or mischievous in interpreting developments in the military are advised to moderate their activities with some decorum. It is clear that the false accusations that depend on unsubstantiated allegations being peddled on the military operations in Nigeria are intended to tarnish the reputation of Nigerian military and its leadership. The campaign apparently aimed at undermining constituted authority in the military must not be encouraged.”

“It is obvious that most of the comments and sensational stories in the media have been oblivious of the fact that the processes are still ongoing and yet to be concluded. The war on terror is not all about equipment but mindset of both the military and the public. Inciting remarks can only compound the situation for all involved.”

“The military is resolved to prosecute the counter terrorism campaign with all sense of commitment by the rank and file. The tendency to suggest or encourage dissention in the system will not yield any advantage to any well-meaning Nigerian citizen. Politicians are therefore requested to guide their utterances as the military remains a veritable institution of the state. Those who seek to undermine or destroy it should be prevailed upon to stop the mission considering the fact that the institution remains indispensable to government and its process under any dispensation.”

Furthermore, the statement said: “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.”

“Incitement to protests or mutiny in the military is an ill wind that will ultimately blow no good to anyone. The military authorities should not be blackmailed with a view to forestalling the exercise of due command and control over the system as established by law in the interest of the nation. The Nigerian military has resolved not to yield to whims and caprices of those seeking to undermine its system purely for populist or political ends.”

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has defended the comment of the Rivers State governor, saying that it sees nothing wrong with the statement.

According to the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Lai Mohammed, the party does not support military disobedience, yet it finds no fault in the utterance of the Director General of the Campaign Organisation of General Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “Amaechi did not say Soldiers should protest. What he said was that they should improve the welfare of the soldiers and soldiers have a right to welfare and proper treatment while on national assignment.”

“We are fully in support of the view that soldiers welfare must be improved but that does not mean that they will not respect the regulations governing the military institution. You see when you enlist in the military, you are governed by the Act establishing the military and military laws, so that is a completely different thing.”

“But for us as Nigerians, we believe that the Federal Government must keep its own side of the bargain so that they don’t send soldiers to the war front without ammunition and equipment. You do not have to neglect to put in place death insurance package to at least a minimum rate of about N300,000,” Mohammed added.

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