Nigerian Military Pledge Loyalty to Democracy & Constitution.

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Defence Headquarters (DHQ) officials have shot down suggestions that the military should meddle in Nigeria’s elections.

The military’s top brass, led by Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, reaffirmed their commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s “constitutional authority” on Tuesday, insisting that they will not stray from their roles, which are clearly outlined in the Constitution of 1999 (as amended).

 

The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, issued a statement yesterday saying the military disapproves of rumours circulating online about welfare problems in the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

 

“The reports call 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 statement read in part.

 

While the AFN’s leadership is committed to looking out for its members, we strongly reject any effort to incite the law-abiding Armed Forces of Nigeria to undertake an unconstitutional change of government in our country.

 

To put it bluntly, “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.”

 

The crisis in neighbouring Niger Republic, where the military snatched power from the constitutionally elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum, coincided with the DHQ’s rejection of requests for military interference in Nigeria’s 24-year unbroken democracy.

 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has been struggling to stem a cascade of coups among its members since 2020, gave the troops who seized power on July 26 until last Sunday to reinstate 63-year-old Bazoum or face the potential use of force.

 

Amidst a flurry of economic sanctions, including the closure of borders, Nigeria has also cut off electricity supply to Nigeria. The deadline came and went, but the coup leaders showed no signs of giving in.

 

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