Army Denies Plotting Against Democracy

The Nigerian military has denied speculations that some serving officers met with one of the presidential candidates in the forthcoming elections.
It also described as “malicious propaganda” the notion that the alleged meeting was held as part of moves to disrupt the elections and staged coup d’etat.
These were contained in a statement issued by by the acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, on Saturday.
The statement partly read,” The Armed Forces of Nigeria notes with dismay the story being peddled around by some unscrupulous elements alleging that some military officers met with a presidential candidate with the aim of disrupting the general elections and setting the country on fire.
“The wicked and very malicious propaganda indicated that a so-called Thursday meeting is plotting a coup d’etat to establish unconstitutional order.”
Gusau said the military was loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic and would never engage in any activity that was contrary to its provisions.
He also said the military remained non-partisan and would not engage in the alleged shenanigans.
He said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria is disheartened that even politically exposed persons can denigrate themselves into joining agents of destabilisation and violence in making false claims just to heighten tension in the polity.
“It needs to be stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military that is loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic and will never be part of any evil plot against our democracy”.
The statement added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria will never be part of any ignoble plot to truncate our hard-earned democracy.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria hereby warn that those who engage in fabricating and spreading unfounded misinformation will be invited by the appropriate law enforcement agencies to substantiate their claims”.
Meanwhile, the Unity Advocacy Group has expressed concern over the speculations that the military was planning to disrupt the elections and plot a coup d’etat, saying the speculation has the capacity to cause more tension in an already politically charged atmosphere.
The group believed that the claim could set the nation on fire if allowed to slide.
In a statement on Saturday by the group’s convener, Ifeanyi Aigbedion, the group warned politicians against making unsavory comments, adding that they should allow “the will of God prevail in the ongoing political process.”
The statement read, “We as a group are deeply concerned about the underground plots by some disgruntled elements to derail our march to a stable democracy.
“We are concerned the more, of attempts to draw the Armed forces of Nigeria into the political arena. This is capable of setting the nation on fire.
“UAG is not here to defend anyone, or any of the political parties, but to advise politicians to allow the will of God prevail in the ongoing political process. They must learn how to give and take.
“From our observation, the military, already engaged in various operations aimed at restoration of peace, will continue to support the growth of our nascent democracy. Drawing them into the political arena is a disservice and must stop”.