2019: Army chief Buratai warns officers

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has warned officials of the Nigerian Army (NA) to remain apolitical and professionally responsive in the discharge of their constitutional roles.

The Army boss who said that he has ordered for the establishment of standing court martial to try any officer, who shows partisanship, vowed that any NA personnel in any capacity who receives any form of inducement from politicians, public or private entities, knowingly or unknowingly will face dire consequences.

Buratai who disclosed this when he spoke at the Chief of Army Staff 1st Quarter Conference in Abuja Federal Capital Territory, called on Army GOCs, Brigade Commanders and other officers interested in politics and romancing with politicians, “to resign before it is too late.”

He said, “Let me state emphatically here that the unity and integrity of Nigeria lies on the military and the NA in particular. Therefore, any act inimical to the unity and integrity of this country by personnel of the NA will be decisively dealt with.

“The NA must remain apolitical and professionally responsive in the discharge of its constitutional roles. GOCs and Field Commanders at all levels are, therefore, warned that anyone that runs afoul of his professional ethics will be appropriately dealt with.

“You are all enjoined to continue to remind officers and soldiers under command to remain non-partisan and be guided by the stipulated code of conduct and rules of engagement in the discharge of their duties particularly in the coming 2019 General Elections. Furthermore, NA personnel in any capacity who receives any form of inducement from politicians, public or private entities, knowingly or unknowingly will be severely punished. Both the giver and taker of such inducement will be investigated and appropriately sanctioned.

“I have directed for a Special Standing Court Martial to be set up in preparation for the coming 2019 elections. I must warn that any NA personnel found hobnobbing with politicians or being partisan will be investigated and sent to the Special Standing Court Martial. I must state clearly that any officer or soldier who wishes to be sympathetic to a political, religious or ethnic group should voluntarily retire from the NA.

“Furthermore, all are reminded on the ban on any form of worship outside the barracks except those permitted for wedding and other social functions. Therefore, officers and soldiers must restrain themselves from any act of political, religious or ethnic patronisation as these would attract severe consequences. The fate of the 38 officers who were retired is still fresh in our memories.”

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Promising that NA remains steadfast in carrying out its constitutional roles as well as providing aid to civil authority, Buratai added, “My vision for the NA which is ‘To have a professionally responsive NA in the discharge of its constitutional roles’ is geared towards ensuring a safer environment for development and socio-economic activities to thrive in the country.”

By this warning, the COAS was reaffirming his earlier stand that all officers and soldiers in the NA must steer clear of politics.

 

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