The Nigerian military has said it is not happy that politicians are using issues in the security agency to campaign while civil society groups look for every opportunity to make it the subject of discussion.
It therefore warned politicians and rights activists in the country to henceforth desist from brining the military into issues that have to do with them and their politicking.
Many Nigerians have in recent times criticised the military for its harsh judgement on some of its officers. Recently, 54 of them were giving the maximum penalty of death following their refusal to confront members of the Boko Haram with an argument that they lacked the fire power to carry out the confrontation.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation in a recent interview, said the soldiers had the right to protest the lack of enough weapons given to them to fight the Boko Haram who have superior fire power.
In a statement by the Defence spokesman Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade, the military 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.
He said the call became necessary because 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.
He held that 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 forthcoming elections.
“Unfortunately, no such gesture seem to be forthcoming,” Olukolade said.
“There is therefore the need to caution against the propagation of this dangerous idea before it causes more problems.”
He said that 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,” Olukolade pointed out.
“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.”
He maintained that 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 and that 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,” he said.
“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.”
Olukolade added that those who seek to undermine or destroy the military’s institution should be prevailed upon to stop the mission, considering the fact that the institution remains indispensable to government and its process under any dispensation.
He assured the general public that the Nigerian military is committed to defending the nation’s democracy.
He urged individuals and personalities 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,” he said.
“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.”
