…says no to calls for military takeover
…after Service Chiefs’ emergency meeting with Tinubu
Arising from an emergency meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, warned citizens agitating for military rule in the country to desist forthwith.
He also warned those flying the Russian flag in Nigeria, whom he said have committed a treasonable offence.
Some Nigerians, especially in some states of the North, flew the Russian flag while some were heard calling for military takeover of the country’s leadership during the #EndBadGovernance protests that began on Thursday, 1st August.
In a bid to douse tension, President Tinubu addressed the nation in a broadcast on Sunday, calling for cessation of the protests to give room for dialogue. However, the protests have continued in some parts of the country.
On Monday, Tinubu abruptly called off the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting and instead summoned an emergency Security Council meeting, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, all Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, the Comptroller Generals of Custom and Immigration, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, the Chief of Defence Staff said the military had accepted democracy and regime change would never be allowed in Nigeria, warning those behind the call to desist.
“All of us have seen it where foreign flags have been flown within the sovereignty of Nigeria, and that is totally unacceptable. We are warning in clear terms and the President has also said we should convey this, that we will not accept anybody, any individual flying any foreign flag in Nigeria,” General Musa said.
“That is a treasonable offence, and it will be viewed and treated as such. So nobody shall allow himself to be used by any individual.
“Also the issue of coups, Nigeria is a sovereign nation, Nigeria is a democratic nation, all security agencies are here to defend democracy and ensure that democracy continues to thrive.
“We will not accept anyone pushing or taking any action, seemingly or for whatever reason, to want to push for any change of government. Democracy is what we stand for, democracy is what we will continue to defend,” he said.
