Democracy: The Nigerian Army and sanctity of constitutional orders

I trust Lt. Gen TY Buratai, the COAS and leader of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations. He is a man worth the trust. He first earned my trust when he punished scores of soldiers who played undemocratic roles in the 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti state. They were punished for professional misconduct and acts inimical to the […]

I trust Lt. Gen TY Buratai, the COAS and leader of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations. He is a man worth the trust. He first earned my trust when he punished scores of soldiers who played undemocratic roles in the 2014 governorship elections in Ekiti state. They were punished for professional misconduct and acts inimical to the striving of democracy in Nigeria. It is his mindset and expectations from the Army Personnel he is leading.

I know the strength he has put into reforming and repositioning the Army into a decent and respected institution. When the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammdau Buhari issued an order, asking security agents or the Army in particular to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers or election riggers, some professional election riggers panicked. They wailed loudly and are making distractive noise.

But it is needless for anybody to panic. The immutable truth can be gleaned from the antecedents of Gen. Buratai’s leadership of the Nigerian Army, when it is brought into perspective. Under his watch the Army has remained apolitical, neutral and completely subordinated to civil authority. They obey every norm of civil community.

And preparatory to the first round of the coming ballot, I was impressed to know that Gen. Buratai has not deviated from his famed culture and reflection of a re-professionalized Army.  He met with the Army’s principal staff officers, general officers commanding and brigade commanders and reminded them on what is expected of soldiers during the national elections.

And he issued unambiguous directives to soldiers who may want to become part of the herds of politicians in Nigeria to resign their membership of the Nigerian Army to become active politicians. I consider this as good tidings and what should console Nigerians interested in free, fair and credible elections.

We must understand that the task of repositioning Nigeria to the country of our dream  is our collective responsibility. Everyone has a role to play. And the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Gen. Buratai is also doing its beat by safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and enforcing discipline and respect to constituted civil authority in Army personnel.

 

I have no scintilla of doubt that the Army is discharging its obligation to the country loyally and patriotically. And it is anchored on two operational cardinal objectives.  Every soldier now knows our democracy must survive and in the special assignments that are drafted to assist civil security, the human rights of the citizens must be held sacrosanct.

The  Nigerian Army has not flinched even for a second in  providing the needed support  the Police, DSS, Civil Defence to effectively function in their  duties of securing Nigeria.  So, I think no one should have anything to fear if there is no ulterior motive.  I am sure those gripped with a phobia of the Army are politicians who are sponsoring electoral thuggery. And for their agents; that is, the thugs, ballot snatchers and indeed, those who attempt to compromise security and the electoral process, it’s certainly a bad market for them. The Gen. Buratai I know will not give them breathing space.

 

We have living witnesses to what the Army did in the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.  The Army never spilled a blood.  It only ensured scaremongers and electoral thieves are chained so that citizens freely exercised their franchise peacefully.  In the elections too, I foresee nothing different. So, Nigerians deliberately de-marketing the Army or those who have indulged in smear campaigns against soldiers are just inherently evil.

I want to say, the  fear of ballot box snatching  is real and every Nigerian looks up to the Army to be able to provide the needed security support for us  to exercise  our franchise.  I therefore plead with the PDP and its apostates to allow the Nigerian Army focus on its role and responsibilities, as those who have nothing to hide should have nothing to fear.

I know  Gen. Buratai  as a professional soldier, a loyal officer,  a patriotic country man and a refined promoter of human rights of all citizens.  Millions of law-abiding citizens can attest to his character. And he has done so much to redefine the pedigree and character of an average soldier in Nigeria today.

 

Murphy writes from Calabar.