The dangers of politicising the military

Umpteenth times the military have been used to harass, subdue and suppress political opponents and those that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national publicity secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, called and tagged “enemies of government.” Recently, Aminu Kano International Airport was closed down by the military just to frustrate the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) governors and […]

Umpteenth times the military have been used to harass, subdue and suppress political opponents and those that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national publicity secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, called and tagged “enemies of government.”
Recently, Aminu Kano International Airport was closed down by the military just to frustrate the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) governors and other teeming Nigerians who were all out to felicitate with the newly crowned Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. This was a national embarrassment to our common sensitivity and sensibility. Governor Rotimi Amaechi and people of like-minds were victims of this unholy victimisation and harassment by a government that is supposed to be the custodian of patrimonies, the constitution, human rights and the rule of law.
Equally, the drama that ensued two days before and during the Ekiti governorship elections was another memorable event that will be evergreen in the minds of perceptive observers of Nigeria’s current political evolution. It is not an overstatement to say that the PDP-led government of President Goodluck Jonathan is using excessive power, which is unacceptable in a democracy, to frustrate and harass the opposition to submission. It was widely reported in all the national dailies that some APC governors were victims of political recklessness, sabre-rattling and grandstanding displayed by the government of the day.
Again, the number four citizen, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, was harassed by some military personnel in Kaduna some time ago. Many keen observers of Adamawa unfolding political event are mindful of how the military are enlisted to provide protection for those that removed the state governor, Murtala Nyako, without following due process of law in the impeachment saga. Few days before the consummation of Nyako’s removal, the military were drawn into the state to intimidate and compel people to obedience.
Nasarawa State has also been turned to a police state and militarised just because PDP wants to unseat Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura. There was also the massive deployment of the military and other security personnel during the governorship elections in Osun State. This is quite worrisome and pestering.
More than ever in the annals of the political history of Nigeria, the president’s men have created more enemies for him by their utterances, actions and inactions on a daily basis. Resorting to tactics of using soldiers to beleaguer political opponents will be counter-productive to democratic norms. The khaki boys should be restricted to the barracks to avoid being infiltrated by fifth columnist. We should not forget the saying that ‘he who rides on a tiger will end up in the belly of a tiger.’ In essence, the politicisation of the military is dangerous to democracy. All reasons adduced by historians and political scientists for military interference in 1966, are still prevalent in the current democratic transition. Thus, the political class should not ignorantly out of desperation to oppress and suppress the assertive opposition, draw the military into our politics. Using the military as security to conduct an election and removing a seating governor is setting up a dangerous precedent, which may not augur well for our political system tottering on the brink of collapse.
John Peter Altgeld (1847-1902), a German-born U.S. lawyer and politician, sent a letter to President Grover Cleveland (24th U.S President) protesting the use of federal troops to break a strike by employees of the Pullman Railroad Car Company and said: “No community can be said to possess local self-government if the executive can, at his pleasure, send military forces to patrol its streets under the pretence of enforcing some laws.”
Prodding our military into action by frivolously engaging them in civil events may embolden military personnel to otherwise perceive their role as rescue mission to salvage already deplorable and overwhelming conditions into which the country has sunk. The experiences of Egypt and Thailand are very fresh and food for thought for politicians. Our leaders should know that no developing country is immune to military adventurers who may want to take advantage of its volatile situation. Therefore, the military should be kept at bay. The military is an aberration in a democratic setting, an institution designed to protect the territorial integrity of a state. They should not be goaded into intrusion to trivialise democratic institutions. The military should be subservient to democratic institutions both in command and in discharging their duties. All arms of government, including the forth realm of the estate (the press), must be treated with civility.
All over the world, military institutions are highly regarded for their discipline, tact, unbiased stance and ability to maintain neutrality in civil event and electioneering struggle. Unfortunately, our military have been turned into an object of ridicule and disdain by the government, which is using them against constituted authority. I think military strength and capability should be redirected to protecting innocent citizens that are dying daily in the warring Northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, and concerted efforts should be made to rescue the Chibok girls abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents.  
Bello lives in Abuja