Military debunks coup rumours
The military has rebutted rumours making the rounds that its members could be plotting a coup, describing as baseless and unrealistic.
The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who received the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, in his office on Weddnesday, said that the Nigerian military was committed defending the democratic integrity of the country.
Omeri was in the office to formally presentof the Nigerian Centenary Flag to the Nigerian military.
The CDS, who ordered hoisting of the Centenary Flag in military formations across the country, said that the military as a professional group “has no option but to love Nigeria” and do those things that will ensure security and protection of lives within the nation.
Badeh expressed surprise at the rumours, emphasizing that democracy has come to stay in the country.
He maintained strongly that the military had no intention of truncating democracy.
“Why should anyone be thinking in negative fashion? Tell them we will not do it. Those rumouring coups must be living elsewhere and not in Nigeria. The Armed Forces are defenders of democracy. We are an arm of democracy, so how can an arm of democracy work against the democracy that we are part of?” asked the CDS.
The Defense Chief commended the NOA for “living up to expectation” in its activities as typified by the Centenary Flag produced by the Agency, which he described as unique and of standard, as well as the coordination of the National Information Centre (NIC). He expressed support for the Agency's programmes and policies, including the renaming of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade of the Agency to Community Support Brigade (CSB) and the Word Waste Bin initiative, urging the NOA to step up the ante in mobilizing Nigerians.
Earlier, Omeri had said the Agency's planned to launch a security awareness campaign tagged “Do the Right Thing: Know Your Neighbour”.
He said the campaign was, among other things, to complement efforts of the Armed Forces and also ensure return to that age old and celebrated value of being our brother's keepers.
Presenting the nation's Centenary Flag to the Defense Chief, the NOA Director General said the flag was symbolic of the nation's history and heritage which it seeks to pass on to future generations of Nigerians.
He expressed the gratitude of the NOA for the support and commitment of the Defence Headquarters towards the National Information Centre, noting that such was a clear statement of the Armed Forces' dedication to the speedy resolution of the security issues confronting the nation at the moment.
Omeri made a call for a day to be set aside by Nigerians to celebrate the Nigerian Armed Forces for their courage, professionalism and patriotism, pointing out that Nigerians owed the military a debt of gratitude for its selfless sacrifice for the nation.