The Nigerian army has reacted to calls by some politicians and elites to oust the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and assume control of power.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, says such calls are selfish and self-seeking, warning those behind it not to drag the army into politics or use it to settle scores.
He warned politicians attempting to lure military officials to stage a coup against the Muhammadu Buhari regime to refrain from doing so.
Speaking at a virtual media chat titled “Open Ears Dialogue” on Friday, Irabor says the army’s hierarchy sees coup under any guise as something that portends serious danger for the country and that not even the junior officers are contemplating carrying out one.
“The leadership of the armed forces is also telling politicians to leave us alone, do not mix us up with issues that have to do with politics and do not use political inclinations and persuasions to want to lure anybody from the armed forces into the idea of having to undertake coups and all
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“The armed forces of Nigeria have nothing whatsoever to do with anything that has to do with coup. We have learned our lessons over the years and we have come to our conclusion that coups will do us more harm than good,” he said.
He stated categorically that “this is what the leadership of the armed forces is passing down the chain, and educating everyone under our command that there is no reason whatsoever for anyone to contemplate that.”
Irabor said the army’s irrevocable stance against coup has shielded it against being mentioned in the media im discourse involving coup
“We will not. That’s the reason why perhaps the discussions you may have been having in the media, we have been insulated from such discussions because they already know our viewpoint in this regard.”
Mr Irabor’s statement comes in the wake of successful coups staged against democratic governments in other African countries.
