Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has described as agents of darkness those calling for a military putsch even as he warned them to desist from their inglorious activities or face the consequences.
According to him, government will not treat those behind the call with kid gloves.
The minister, in statement by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogunike, said there was no justification for anyone to contemplate the unconstitutional change of government led by President Bola Tinubu.
He said the call for violent change of government by the military was absurd, preposterous and naive as the military has come to reality with democratic Government in Nigeria and were focused on their constitutional duty of defending the constitution.
“Nigeria is a peaceful country where citizens enterprise, no uprising, no mass protest, and just because criminal elements attacked a warehouse and a haulage vehicle carrying food items to other parts of the country, is not enough reason for unpatriotic individuals to resort to call for military intervention which has no place in modern realities. The military is highly professionalised with good Civil-Military relationship and they are exhibiting the highest standard of professionalism with the defence of our constitution as a top priority.”
He said some mischief makers posted viral videos and inciting statements on the media depicting a false situation and impression and encouraging the Military to truncate the constitution of which they will never do because they have been aligned with democratic culture which makes coup no longer fashionable.
“Those calling for coup do not love Nigeria. Under the present Government, there will be no Military takeover of power.
“The harbingers of this evil thought are agents of destabilization as Nigeria has a democratic Government in place and democracy is in action under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the dividends of democracy are being delivered.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has provided a level playing ground for people to express themselves which is one of the pillars of democracy and fundamental human rights are being respected.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has restated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to defend the nation’s choice of government, democracy.
Addressing participants at a seminar on career planning and management organized by the Army headquarters, the COAS said the Army has no plans to truncate democracy in the country.
He charged officers of the Nigerian Army to remain above board in the discharge of their professional duties.