BEVERLY HILLS, July 14, (THEWILL) – The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, on Thursday said it is not part of a rumoured attempt by some ambitious top government officials and members of a purported cabal in the Presidency to hijack power from the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major-General John Enenche, there is no iota of truth in the report by an online medium that Aso Rock cabal and top government officials were bent on wrestling power from Osinbajo through propaganda and some military-backed action.
The statement reads: “It is necessary to make clarifications on an ill motivated article published by the media by a group of ‘unnamed concerned military and intelligence officers’.
“This is another machination of mischief makers and distractors against the military in its entirety.
“The publication by all intent is ultimately aimed at undermining the efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards tackling the security challenges in the country and particularly that of the North-east. It should be disregarded as an unfounded and absolute disinformation.”
Enenche reiterated that the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai did not raise any coup scare in May 2017, explaining that what he said was a normal service administrative caution issued by the Army to officers and men on relationship between service personnel and civilians.
He said further, “Thus, the contrary assertion reported is a gross and evil intended message to the general public and therefore should be disregarded.
“The BBC’s Hard Talk with the Chief of Army Staff during his official visit to the United Kingdom was never arranged by any group or cabal as reported.
“It is normal media practice to interact with principals of organisations on topical issues at such opportunities, which was what happened. It was not for any image burnishing as maliciously purported. Hence, it should be ignored.
“The book launched on the late Brigadier General Zakaria Maimalari in Abuja on 3 July 2017 was attended by notable senior citizens of Nigeria among others, including former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, both who by every standard can never belong to any such thing as cabals.
“It was not a cover for any power take over as wickedly portrayed, not minding the presence of key patriotic elder statesmen and leaders at the event. This shows clear lack of situation analysis capability due to ulterior motives. Hence, should be discountenanced.
“It is worthy of note that the Nigerian military in the recent past has been in the fore front of the country’s foreign policy and political direction of ensuring political stability in the West African sub-region.”
The Defence spokesman buttressed his argument by reminding Nigerians of the intervention of the nation’s military in the situation of Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea and The Gambia.
He said, “In The Gambia, the Armed Forces of Nigeria took the lead in the military coalition to ensure that the will of Gambians was achieved and democracy sustained.
“Thus, it is morally, practically, professionally and ethically impossible for the contemporary Nigerian military to embark on truncating democracy in its own country.
“More so, members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are in tune with best global practices of governance, which is civil democracy.
“Therefore, the Defence Headquarters reassures all Nigerians of the unalloyed loyalty of the military to the Commander-in-Chief and total subordination to political and constituted civil authorities in the country.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to carry out their constitutional roles as directed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
