The defence headquarters has described the statement of Rotimi Ameachi, governor of Rivers state, about the conviction of 54 soldiers for mutiny as a dangerous idea that may cause problems if not addressed.

At a media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, Amaechi had said that the convicted soldiers had a right to protest against the failure of the government to adequately equip them to fight Boko Haram. But reacting to Amaechi’s statement on Friday, Christopher Olukolade, a major-general and director of defence information, warned politicians against using their campaigns to endorse acts of indiscipline in the army.

“In view of the series of insinuations, allegations and false claims being made by certain activists and politicians on the legal and disciplinary process in the Nigerian military, the defence headquarters finds it necessary to call on politicians to avoid using the forum or medium of their political campaigns to incite or endorse acts of indiscipline in the nation’s military establishments,” Olukolade said.

“This call has become necessary as the trend got to another level on Tuesday when a prominent politician declared that the soldiers have the right to protest for the federal government’s failure to fully equip them.”

He said he expected Amaechi or his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to retract the statement, but their failure to do so prompted the reaction of the military. “It was expected that the fellow quoted or his party would have made immediate moves to correct this fallacy or erroneous impression being propagated especially in view of the level of knowledge of his principal and candidate in forthcoming elections.

“Unfortunately, no such gesture seems to be forthcoming. There is therefore the need to caution against the propagation of this dangerous idea before it causes more problems. “For the avoidance of any doubt, the military institution rejects this declaration and its intention in all ramifications.

The military law as recognised by the constitution of the federation is an appropriate legal document for the management of affairs of the military. The processes it outlines for handling military offences remain legal and will continue to be applied in the interest of the nation’s security and democracy.”

He further called for caution in meddling in the affairs of the military, adding that constituted authority in the military must not be undermined. “Individuals and interest groups seeking to play to the gallery by being meddlesome, sensational or mischievous in interpreting developments in the military are advised to moderate their activities with some decorum.

It is clear that the false accusations that depend on unsubstantiated allegations being peddled on the military operations in Nigeria are intended to tarnish the reputation of Nigerian military and its leadership. The campaign apparently aimed at undermining constituted authority in the military must not be encouraged,” he said.

“It is obvious that most of the comments and sensational stories in the media have been oblivious of the fact that the processes are still ongoing and yet to be concluded. The war on terror is not all about equipment but mindset of both the military and the public. Inciting remarks can only compound the situation for all involved.

“The military is resolved to prosecute the counter-terrorism campaign with all sense of commitment by the rank and file. The tendency to suggest or encourage dissention in the system will not yield any advantage to any well-meaning Nigerian citizen.

Politicians are therefore requested to guide their utterances as the military remains a veritable institution of the state. Those who seek to undermine or destroy it should be prevailed upon to stop the mission considering the fact that the institution remains indispensable to government and its process under any dispensation.

“The Nigerian military reiterates its commitment to defending the nation’s democracy. Individuals and personalities are enjoined to refrain from pronouncement and attitude that seek to undermine the established justice/disciplinary procedures and processes of the military system.

This counsel is very vital to the excellent civil-military relations which is crucial to the nation’s development.

“Incitement to protests or mutiny in the military is an ill wind that will ultimately blow no good to anyone. The military authorities should not be blackmailed with a view to forestalling the exercise of due command and control over the system as established by law in the interest of the nation. The Nigerian military has resolved not to yield to whims and caprices of those seeking to undermine its system purely for populist or political ends.”

http://www.thecable.ng/amaechi-mutiny-comment-dangerous-says-dhq | TheCable

"He who the gods want to kill, they first make mad".

Na Wadata plaza d Defence HQ dey?
Jona has successfully politicised all security agencies.

Cant read this essay, if i insist on reading to the end, might sleep off before i finish. but i just hope it makes sense.

Too afraid to mention ameachi's name they defence hqtrs said " a statement made by a popular politician" Is Rotimi Ameachi too difficult to mention or pronounce? The man just said the truth and has ruffled feathers.

Its been a long time I heard Chris Olukolade speak. Amaechi's statement must have made him realize he and other army chiefs are corrupt and insensitive to the plight of the soldiers. They should equip the soldiers with state of the art weapons and stop attacking Amaechi.

PDP has boxed APC to a tight corner by asking them to campaign with facts and avoid throwing tantrums unnecessarily.

The result is the confusion emanating from APC camps lately including that of a retired general supporting mutiny. This to me is the height of desperation.


Anyway, I expect to hear more unrealistic and deceitful statements in the coming days.

A group of young soldiers were tried and sentenced to death for shooting at a superior officer. Superior officer we heard was transfer, suspended and rumor later said he was dismissed. So the military hierarchy knew there was provocation after all? Generals and Military contractors feeding fat while young boys and girls face death in the hands of the enemy Boko haram.

azimibraun:
Too afraid to mention ameachi's name they defence hqtrs said " a statement made by a popular politician" Is Rotimi Ameachi too difficult to mention or pronounce? The man just said the truth and has ruffled feathers.

no mind them!

fear no let them caution boko arams! na for civilians them dey strong!

see gallant boys wey them suppose give state of the art weapons to go finish those evil men - no! na TO give them out-of use AKs and counted bullets, then just bc they ask for better weapons headquarters wan use scarce bullet on their heads not minding all the sacrifices the gallant soldiers has made to keep us all safe!

I DON TALK AND I STILL DEY TALK AM - GOVT, SHOULD RELOCATE MAJOR MILITARY HEADQUARTERS TO BORNO AND ADAMAWA FOR NOW! THEN LETS SEE WHO AMONG THEM IS TOUGH!

^^ exactly! Colen Powell and I can't remember the other General after him were right there in Baghdad and Afghanistan battling the sadam forces and afghans. How come our so called Generals can't even monitor maiduguri from sokoto. Or zamfara; they are so afraid the can't go beyond Kaduna and when they do, the heavy military escort will scare the North Korean stubborn leader.

berem:
Its been a long time I heard Chris Olukolade speak. Amaechi's statement must have made him realize he and other army chiefs are corrupt and insensitive to the plight of the soldiers. They should equip the soldiers with state of the art weapons and stop attacking Amaechi.

Brainwashed

OK Amaechi has heard, now go and caution you top military hierarchy to stop sabotaging the young soldiers.

I don't even know why the Amaechi guy is being taken serious, The man is just a rabble rouser seeking for attention. How can the campaign director of a "general" support mutiny??,I expect Buhari to condemn and withdraw that statement.

Mr or Gen Olukolade, the solution to your headache is quite simple.

When we watch and read of American forces( for example) engaged in military operations, officers of your rank and even beyond lead FROM THE FRONT AND NOT THE REAR!
WHAT ARE NIGERIAN GENERALS DOING ABOUT THIS INSURGENCY? We need their wealth of experience in the FIELD and not behind a desk in Abuja or Enugu or PH?

Also, any Gen who claims that the troops are properly equipped should immediately present evidence of the proper equipment he is talking about. Such Gen should volunteer to go to the war front with the said arms and fight. We need their valour, experience and sacrifice AT THE FRONT.

We need to stop sending 6mnth old recruits to go and die while experienced "generals" are hiding behind desks in Abuja!

Rotimi Amaechi and APC are afraid they will lose presidential election therefore they are using inciting tactics so that d military could take over govenance when PDP wins.Kaka keku maje sese afise awadnu.The military is wiser, shame on apc nd amaechi

A word is enough for the wise. The military is a world of it's own. Whosoever submitted himself for the job knows better.

Olukaliede,
please shoot amaechi in the leg!

Buhari's silence on such an important matter is disgraceful and shows his weakness!

Even buhari too is among those supporting mutiny,I won't blame him sha,since he failed all his millitary exams! I don't expect him to understand what mutiny can cause in a nations defence standard. ***Let him continue pighting kworoption***

Amaechi the Lion of the Tribe of Ubima.

Abeg tell them

General general.

mikeansy:
Buhari's silence on such an important matter is disgraceful and shows his weakness!

if you can forgives ameachi ignorance, what of general buhari who should know better. GMB silence of this important issue is very very worrisome. are you sure ameachi is not on revenge mission? as in this misyan is deliberate?. because he should no that when you signed into military, you becomes government property, that is why fela called them .......... and Ebenezer obey said " obey before complain" they operates on other realm entirely different from civilian's world.

The encouragement of mutiny by Governor Rotimi Amaechi is reckless and unfortunate. Nobody should take the military into politicking nor undermine the military as an institution

lilbazy:
[s]Even buhari too is among those supporting mutiny,I won't blame him sha,since he failed all his millitary exams! I don't expect him to understand what mutiny can cause in a nations defence standard. ***Let him continue pighting kworoption***[/s]

Are you normal?

barcanista:
The encouragement of mutiny by Governor Rotimi Amaechi is reckless and unfortunate. Nobody should take the military into politicking nor undermine the military as an institution

When will Buhari speak on this issue?

mikeansy:


When will Buhari speak on this issue?

The General will never endorse such statement.

barcanista:
The General will never endorse such statement.

Will he distance himself from it?

Passive silence is tacit endorsement

Remember Amaechi was speaking as Buhari campaign DG

barcanista:
The General will never endorse such statement.

He has already endorsed it by his 'silence'. Abi, is Ameachi not his campaign DG again AND was d statement not made in that capacity??.... Anyways, this is APC, Buhari and Ameachi we are talking about. No Surprises!!!

taharqa:
He has already endorsed it by his 'silence'. Abi, is Ameachi not his campaign DG again AND was d statement not made in that capacity??.... Anyways, this is APC, Buhari and Ameachi we are talking about. No Surprises!!!

No Sir, the statement was made by Governor Amaechi and not the Campaign Director Amaechi.

barcanista:
No Sir, the statement was made by Governor Amaechi and not the Campaign Director Amaechi.

And what d ffuck is d diff. And who d helll do you think you are talking to?

What Ameachi said is the simple undiluted truth,which has touched some hierarchy of the military in sensitive part..

Its obvious that some high ranking officers are feeding fat in the weaponizing of the military,and the soldiers have the right to complain.

barcanista:
No Sir, the statement was made by Governor Amaechi and not the Campaign Director Amaechi.

lol

are these two persons?