Defence Minister: There’ll Be No Military Takeover of Power

*Says armed forces committed to defence of constitution, democracy

*Orders DIA to go after coup mongers, enemies of democracy

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has declared that a military intervention under the present administration was impracticable.
He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained committed to the defence of the constitution and democratic rule.
He described those calling for the undemocratic change of government as agents of darkness. He warned coup mongers calling for the unconstitutional change of government of President Bola Tinubu to desist from their inglorious past-time, warning that government would not treat those behind it with kid gloves.
He has therefore directed the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to go after those calling for military intervention.
A statement signed by the Director of Information, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, said “the call for violent change of government by the military is absurd, preposterous and naive as the military has come to reality with democratic government in Nigeria and are focused on their constitutional duty of defending the constitution”.
The minister warned against the dangerous allure of coups, stating that “those calling for coup do not love Nigeria. Under the present government, there will be no military takeover of power.”
He emphasised the need for elected leaders to lead while the military fulfilled its duty of protecting the constitution.
“The harbingers of this evil thought are agents of distabilisation as Nigeria has a democratic government in place and democracy is in action under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the dividends of democracy are being delivered”.
The statement said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had provided a level playing ground for people to express themselves which remained one of the pillars of democracy.
It said fundamental human rights were being respected under the present administration.
The statement said “some mischief makers posted viral videos and inciting statement in the media depicting a false situation and impression and encouraging the military to truncate the constitution of which they will never do because they have been aligned with democratic culture which makes coup no longer fashionable.
“However, consequent to this and other extenuating factors, the Ministry of Defence is warning all the propagators calling for truncation of the constitutional government to desist from it and face the democratic reality on ground as the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has directed Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to go after the criminals and enemies of democracy and bring them to justice.”
The statement said “Nigeria remained a peaceful country where citizens enterprise, no uprising, no mass protest, and just because criminal elements attacked a warehouse and a haulage vehicle carrying food items to other parts of the country, is not enough reason for unpatriotic individuals to resort to call for military intervention which has no place in modern realities”.
The minister affirmed that “the military is highly professionalised with good civil-military relationship and they are exhibiting the highest standard of professionalism with the defence of our constitution as a top priority.
“I urge all Nigerians to come together to support and keep faith with the government of President Bola Tinubu in his efforts at making Nigeria great”, he said.
Matawalle reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to defend the constitution and uphold democracy. He assured the public of the military’s readiness to ensure the safety and security of the nation.