by Ranti Joseph
The Nigerian Army has come out to clear the air on allegations that the Chief of Army staff is preparing to assume the leadership of the country through an interim government in the event that the opposition party wins the 2015 general elections at the federal level.
The Army stated that such rumour is false and it is a dangerous, condemnable act, as well as a great disservice.
The press release, signed by Sani Kukasheka Usman, Colonel, Acting Director, Army public relations, said an allegation surfaced on social media written by concerned officers and soldiers of operation Zaman Laafiya and that two serving Major Generals of the Nigerian Army have tendered a letter of resignation over an alleged disagreement with the Chief of Army Staff during a meeting.
The statement explained that such rumors were an act of some faceless groups trying to distract the service from its avowed constitutional duty of defending the territorial integrity of the nation.
“The medium neither mentioned the names of the senior officers concerned, nor the time and place of the alleged meeting with the Chief of Army Staff. For the avoidance of doubt, there has been no resignation whatsoever in the Nigerian Army on account of the disagreement with the Chief of Army Staff. It must be stated categorically that the Nigerian Army is apolitical. In the same vein, it does not tolerate any of its officers or soldiers being involved in political matters,” the statement said.
It further went ahead to assure the citizens that the Nigerian army is apolitical and doesn’t participate in any politics whatsoever.
“It is pertinent to restate the fact that the Nigerian Army remains committed and loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the President, Commander-in-Chief. The Army is conscious and committed to its subordination to constituted civil authorities. Politicians and their agents and agencies should please desist from attempts to drag the Nigerian Army into their political issues,” it further stressed.
