Mallam Garba ShehuThe Presidency has reminded the Nigeria’s former minister of Defence, retired Lt General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma and his likes that no country can survive if its citizens are set against the country’s well trained and equipped military officers.
A statement by the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, making a veiled reaction to Danjuma’s recent call on Nigerians to take up arms against the army, said that the Presidency is worried that such call could encourage criminals to feel justified in their activities.
The statement said that Danjuma’s call could lead to a situation where criminals would defy legal governing and democratic institutions as well as authority of legitimately elected democratic government.
Describing the ‘rise against the military’ call by the former army chief, as “unrestrained pronouncements,” Garba Shehu said: “we advise former leaders to take advantage of the various fora where people with a history of national security can offer advice to the government without resorting to the exploitation of emotional sentiments.
“The civil war motto: “TO KEEP NIGERIA ONE IS A TASK THAT MUST BE DONE” rings very timely at this time in our nation’s history. We must be careful to avoid the mess that destroyed other African countries like Somalia.”
He appealed to prominent Nigerians, who have national influence, to use their influence wisely and not continue to engage in public declarations that are likely to inflame emotional passions and threaten National Security.
He commended the Nigerian military’s efforts to maintain peace and stability, “despite being pulled in various directions by elements determined to destabilize the country and” government for their selfish reasons.” [myad]
