Nigerian military committed to nation’s democracy – Gen Irabor

The Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has described the nation’s democracy as a deeply rooted one that will not be interrupted by military for any reason whatsoever.

Making this military recommitment of loyalty to the democratic principle was the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, while featuring in a monitored interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, on Friday,

Irabor was speaking amid concerns borne by military takeover of governments in some African countries including mainly Mali, Guinea and Sudan, coming out bold to say that the unalloyed loyalty of the armed forces to democratic rule in Nigeria was unquestionable.

While speaking, the CDS commended the efforts of military personnel ahead of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

“Today, I believe that Nigerians are no longer in doubt as to the subordination of the military to civil rule; I believe that no one is in doubt that democracy has come to stay.

“I believe that no one is in doubt any longer that the current military leadership, and of course, since the democratisation in 1999, that the military is well focused to perform its constitutional roles,” he said.

Recently, the military in Mali, Guinea, and Sudan forcefully took over power from democratic governments.

Guinea’s coup took place on September 5, 2021, when the Army ousted and arrested President Alpha Conde.

The same scenario was witnessed in Sudan where the armed forces’ detention of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, seven weeks after that of Guinea.

General Irabor admitted that some Nigerians might still be struggling with their experience regarding military involvement in politics in the past.

He believes those who have very strong reservations in this regard may not actually give room for escalation of discussions that have to do with repositioning and bringing the military to full focus in terms of what good it has brought to the nation.

Speaking about the significance of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the defence chief stressed the need to educate the upcoming generation about the nation’s history

“I am sure you also know that issues that have to do with civic responsibilities still require a little push; I am sure you know that literacy level in the nation still requires a little push; and so when you bring these factors among several other things, you know that quite a lot of work needs to be done,” he said.

“Going forward, I believe that some of these misperceptions that some Nigerians have had with respect to military engagement will begin to change.”