By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters has frowned at the unguided statement targeted against the Nigerian military by the National Chairman of National Democratic Party (NDP), Chidi Chukwuanyi as inciting and instigative.
On Sunday, 26 July 2020 ,there was a newspaper publication in Tribune with caption “Nigeria Needs a Rawlings Now – NDP”.
In the publication, the statement was credited to Mr. Chidi Chukwuanyi, the National Chairman NDP saying “the state of corruption in the country calls for a replication of the Ghanian experience under former President Jerry Rawlings in Nigeria”.
But the DHQ has expressed displeasure over the statement, describing it as inciting and instigative.
Maj. Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, in a statement issued to Enugu Reporters maintained that the attention of the DHQ has been drawn to the publication, but it does not want to join issues in anyway with the party
Enenche further observed that such unguided utterance targeted at the Nigerian Military is inciting and instigative.
“What Chidi Chukwuanyi is calling for is a combination of unpopular acts of insurrection and mutiny, which cannot be taken for granted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Enenche added.
“Consequently, I am directed by the High Command of the Nigerian Military to let the general public know and remind personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria that all officers and men of the Nigerian Military swore to an oath of allegiance to be totally loyal to the civil authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and protect the constitution.
“This translates to unalloyed loyalty to the President Commander in Chief and full subordination to the civil authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“That all officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are to continue to abide by the constitutional provision, in Section 217 sub section 2 (c) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, “To suppress insurrection, any act to the contrary is unconstitutional.
“That all officers and men of the Nigerian Military are further reminded of offences contained in Armed Forces Act CAP A 20, The laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which include among others; Mutiny in Sections 52 and 53, which if committed are punishable.” he further stated.
According to the DMO Coordinator, he was directed to state clearly and unequivocally that the Nigerian Military is a force that is in consonance with all global best practices and cannot be misguided by any individual or group.
Enenche however said, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is totally loyal to the President Commander in-Chief and fully subordinated to the civil authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
