Some Nigerians instigating us to plan coup, says Defence Headquarters

Insists Army will defend democracy

By Samuel Ogunsona

Some Nigerians want the Nigerian Army to plan a coup to overthrow the Government, but the Army will resist such illegitimate demands, the Defence headquarters has said.

The Military High Command said plots from various quarters are instigating the Army to plan coup but that the move will never work in Nigeria, a country that has had six successful civilian-to-civilian transition since 1999

Nigeria is faced with increasing harsh economic conditions amidst unending corruption and stealing of public funds by officials.

The new President, Bola Tinubu has introduced a lot of reforms that many hope would begin to yield fruits in months.

The Director, Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, a Brigadier-General, on Saturday morning in a media message said those calling for coups are “unpatriotic and wicked.”

He said “The AFN under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa is determined to ensure complete subordination of the Armed Forces to constitutional authority under His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and will not be distracted from its roles that are well defined in the 1999 constitution (as amended).”

Some people who lost out in the last Presidential election have been calling for military intervention, a demand that runs contrary to democratic principles which appears to be the best form of government across the world.

The military high command said the Nigerian Army led by Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, is opposed to any form of military intervention in political affairs.

“The reports calling on the military to interfere in our democracy is highly unpatriotic, wicked, and an attempt to distract the Armed Forces of Nigeria from performing its constitutional responsibilities,” the military Chief said.

Gusau said “The Defence headquarters frowns at a report being circulated online about welfare issues in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. We wish to state unequivocally that the military is happy and better under democracy and will not get involved in any act to sabotage the hard-earned democracy in our country.

“While the leadership of the AFN gives priority to welfare of its personnel however, we detest any attempt by any individual or group to instigate the law-abiding Armed Forces of Nigeria to embark on any unconstitutional change of government in our country.”