Nigerian Army Denies Disloyalty to Jonathan

Source: huhuonline.com

Information made available to huhuonline.com reveals that the Nigerian Army has distanced itself from the current bizarre developments in the polity, particularly in the secret return of Yar'Adua's, and the role played by the military (Brigade of Guards), even

as they (military) warned politicians and activists who thrive on spreading false alarm to leave the Army out of their game plan.

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, with the title, ''THAT STATEMENT IS NOT FROM ARMY CHIEF'' the Nigerian army says it remains committed to supporting the practice of democracy, rule of law and submission to constitutional authorities in Nigeria, and would not wish to be dragged into unnecessary controversy meant to cause confusion in the country. The statement adds that the attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to the statement issued by the Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress (AC) condemning a statement said to be credited to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau who was alleged to have said “he is only loyal to President Yar'Adua and no one else”.

The Army further stated emphatically that the claims in that statement from AC are completely unfortunate as they are meant to put words in the mouth of the Army Chief.

The statement added that the Army would like to reassure Nigerians that it has not shifted from its commitment to the tenets of democracy and absolute loyalty to constituted civil authorities as consistently emphasized and demonstrated by the chief of army staff


Brigadier General Olukolade says the call and warning coming from political activists is indeed absolutely unnecessary as no coup or security breach (as they called it) is being contemplated by the Nigerian army.


The press statement reads:


''The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to the statement issued by the Lagos State Chapter of the Action Congress (AC) condemning a statement said to be credited to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen AB Dambazau who was alleged to have said

“he is only loyal to President Yar'Adua and no one else”. In the statement lavishly reported in a section of the media, Mr Joe Igbokwe who claims to be speaking for his party, made a series of remarks in denigration of the person of Gen Dambazau and the Nigerian Army as a whole, saying they would be held responsible if the present democracy is brought to a sad end. The Nigerian Army wishes to state categorically that the claims in that statement from AC are completely unfortunate as they were meant to put words in the mouth of the Army Chief.. Mr Igbokwe and those propagating the said statement have not informed their audience of when, where and to whom Gen Dambazau made the statement they now attribute to him with a view to whipping up unnecessary but dangerous sentiment. It is disturbing that a number of activists have also built additional unfounded insinuations on this false information to make a series of unfair, inciting, alarming and provocative remarks against the Army to buttress their campaigns lately.



''For the avoidance of doubt, the Army would like to reassure Nigerians that it has not shifted from its commitment to the tenets of democracy and absolute loyalty to constituted civil authorities as consistently emphasized and demonstrated by the Chief of Army Staff. It will be recalled that he has in several addresses to troops and in a number of fora such as the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Lagos last November as well as the commissioning of Forward Operating Base in Abuja early this year, emphasized in very clear terms the resolve of the Army to offer unalloyed loyalty and support to democratic order in the country. Gen Dambazau along with Chief of Defence Staff and other service Chiefs were among the earliest government functionaries to visit and pledge the loyalty of the military to the Acting President on his assumption of office.


''The call and warning coming from Mr Igbokwe and other political activists is indeed absolutely unnecessary as no coup or security breach (as they called it) is been contemplated by the Nigerian Army. The whole statements therefore amounts to an unfair comment founded on an imaginary statement which did not emanate from the Army's leadership. The persistent insults been thrown at the army and indeed the intelligence of the generality of Nigerians by desperate agitators and alarmists, despite repeated demonstration of the army's commitment to democracy is indeed unwarranted and should stop. The army therefore calls on all well meaning citizens to disregard all the alarmist remarks and reports coming from certain quarters as they obviously have interests other than the peace and security of Nigeria. Once again politicians and so called activists who thrive on spreading false alarm should please leave the army out of their game plan. The Army remains committed to supporting the practice of democracy, rule of law and submission to constitutional authorities in Nigeria, and would not wish to be dragged into unnecessary controversy meant to cause confusion in the country. Your kind assistance to disseminate this will be highly appreciated please.''