The Armed Forces of Nigeria notes with dismay the story being peddled around by some unscrupulous elements alleging that some military officers met with one of the Presidential candidates with the aim of disrupting the general elections and setting the country on fire.
A statement by the Defence spokesperson, Bridgadier-General Tukur Gusau says the malicious propaganda indicated that a so-called Thursday meeting is plotting a Coup d’etat to establish unconstitutional order.
The military says it is disheartening that even politically exposed persons can denigrate themselves into joining agents of destabilization and violence in making false claims just to heighten tension in the polity. The statement says that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military that is loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic and will never be part of any evil plot against democracy.
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It emphasizes that the Military remains apolitical and neutral in the current political process and will not engage in the alleged shenanigans. The statement adds that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will never be part of any ignoble plot to truncate the hard-earned democracy.
The Military warns that those who engage in fabricating and spreading unfounded misinformation will be invited by the appropriate law enforcement agencies to substantiate their claims. It advises the general public to disregard such information and go about their normal activities.
Former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of All Progressives Congress APC, Femi Fani-Kayode, in a tweet on his verified handle @realFFK, said: “There are reports that @atiku had a secret meeting with serving military Generals in Abuja on Thursday. If true, it is troubling & has implications. What was the purpose? Why would a presidential candidate be having secret meetings with soldiers 14 days before the election?”
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
