Army Chief Speaks On Possibility Of Coup Against President Tinubu

The Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa has assured that the Nigerian Military would not execute a coup against the democratically elected government of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are satisfied with democracy and also loyal to Tinubu as their Commander-in-Chief.

The military chief gave the assurance on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State during a visit to the 6 Division of Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, where he was received by the General Officer Commanding the Division, Major-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam.

During the visit, General Musa commissioned the 47 Engineering Brigade Counter Improvised Explosives Device Squadron, tree planting project, 29 Battalion Magazine bank, and other projects.

Speaking against the backdrop of recent military coups in neighbouring countries such as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, he said there is nothing to be worried about in the country as the Nigerian Military is in full support of democracy and ready to protect Nigeria’s democracy.

Musa told newsmen that his visit was to interact with men and officers of the armed forces in the state, encourage them to do more and remain professional.

He said: “We want to thank the Commander-in-Chief, the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for all the support he has given to the armed forces and security forces and to assure him that we are dedicated and committed in doing our job.

“We are here to protect the integrity of Nigeria. I actually came around, starting from Imo State, we went to Bayelsa and now I am in Rivers State to try to encourage the troops to continue to do more and remain professional.

“I want Nigeria to be assured that the armed forces of Nigeria is here for them to protect them and to protect Democracy and ensure that democracy thrives.

“They should have no fear. We have had a number of coups in countries around Nigeria, we have Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, I know that there is a lot of apprehension. I want to assure everyone that the Arm Forces of Nigeria is dedicated and committed in ensuring and securing and supporting and standing by democracy.

“We stand by democracy. You saw that ECOWAS, the president being ECOWAS President was very decisive on the decision taken against the coup plotters and we want to assure Nigerians that nothing like coup is going to take place in Nigeria.

“All members of the Armed Forces are pleased with democracy and we will continue to defend democracy.”

Off-season Governorship Elections

Speaking on the forthcoming off-season governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States, General Musa assured that the military was ready to provide adequate security.

He warned those planning to cause trouble to stay clear of the states as no violence would be condoned.

According to him, the military would play its role in ensuring a credible, free and fair election.

He said: “You know three states will be having off-season elections, we are also ensuring of providing adequate security.

“We want the elections to be credible, free and fair to enable every voter to come out without being scared or being intimidated by anyone.

“And to also set a warning to all those that are used to doing the old ways of using violence to intimidate people, stealing ballot boxes that those days are gone, this is a new regime that we must stop.