If a man says he is against theft, why is
he supporting his neighbour to steal?
By Premium Times

Mahamat Idriss Deby , 37, bedecked in
the military fatigue of a four star
general, spotting a red beret and some
decoration on his chest, was seen at the
Nigeria Aso Rock Presidential Villa on
Friday, May 14. He had at least two
other four star generals in similar
fatigue, red and blue berets, which
announced in unmistakable terms that
this is the military dictator of another
unfortunate African country. The non-
condemnation, non-rejection, or the
acceptance of his coup by so called
democracies, is a testimony to the fact
that coups are not out of fashion, out
dated or unacceptable in the world. If
anything, it is a confirmation that a coup
in Africa is welcome if it fits into the
agenda of the beholder.
Not even in the mad seasons of Nigeria
coup plotting and subversion of
professionalism would a 26-year old
have become a general, as is the case
of Mahamat, who was seven when his
father overthrew the Chadian
government and within nineteen years,
he had gone through formal education,
military training and become a general!

The senior Deby died on Tuesday, April
19, reportedly of gunshot wounds
sustained in a fight with rebels. But
rather than allow the Speaker of the
National Assembly, Haroun Kabadi, to
act as President for 40 days, while fresh
elections are held in accordance with
the constitution, Mahamat executed a
coup sacking the government,
dissolving parliament and suspending
the constitution. When Chadians
protested against the coup, they were
killed, injured or detained.

Those like overlord France and big
neighbour Nigeria that should condemn
the coup, insist on the supremacy of the
constitution, stand by democracy and
caution the coup plotters against killing
protesters, supported the plotters.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le
Drian, whose country will never allow an
unconstitutional take over in its territory,
justified the coup, citing a so-called
needed stability and security in the
country. He claimed the overthrow of
democracy in Chad was logical because:
“There are exceptional circumstances.”

In a dishonest rendering of events, Le
Drian said: “Logically, it should be Mr
Kabadi…but he refused because of the
exceptional security reasons that were
needed to ensure the stability of this
country.” What choice did the Speaker
have with guns trained on him?
Nigerian Foreign Minister, Geoffrey
Jideofor Onyeama, in justifying the coup
said Nigeria does not want a power
vacuum. To solidify military rule in
Chad, President Muhammadu Buhari
rolled out the red carpet for the coup
plotters. He told them: “We are bound
together by culture and geography, and
we will help in all ways we can.” He did
not ask them to stop killing those
protesting against the coup or bring the
killers to justice. Rather, he told them:
“We will also help you to ensure a
smooth transition in 18 months, as you
have promised your people.”

For those of us who fought gruelling and
bloody battles against military rule on
Nigeria streets, and ensured the return
of civilian governance, from which
Buhari is benefitting, the image of a so-
called African Head of State in military
fatigue, sitting under our country’s Coat
of Arms in the Aso Rock Presidential
Villa, is a disgusting and disturbing
image.
We had thought that Africa had gone
beyond such criminality. But young
Deby’s presence, pounding the floors of
the hallowed chambers of Nigeria’s
Presidency in military boots, is a sad
reminder that coups are not a thing of
the past. It also gives the impression
that while Nigeria’s democratic physique
is civil, its soul is military. So, even if the
chameleon changes its colours, it does
not change its essence.

It is interesting that apart from the
constitution forbidding the non-
democratic seizure of power, the
Nigerian government and military have
been shouting themselves hoarse
against any coup. On December 5,
2020, the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt.
General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, declared,
while decorating 39 newly promoted
Major Generals, that: “Democracy has
come to stay. We will not tolerate any
agent of destabilisation. The years of
military misadventure in politics have
never carried us anywhere. It is over.”

He warned the new Generals: “Do not
hobnob with politicians. At this rank of
two star Generals, do not lobby for
appointment. If you want to lobby for
appointment, lobby the Chief of Army
Staff and you can only do this through
hard work, discipline and loyalty. The
crop of officers (39 Major Generals)
decorated yesterday will never be
dragged into any interest that is contrary
to the sustenance of democracy in our
nation. All our eyes are on you. We
know there are several moves to get
your attention. You must make sure that
whatever you are doing, and when some
persons approach you, you must act
within the confines of the constitution.”

In the face of the deteriorating security
situation in the country and general
unease, the Nigerian secret services, the
Department of State Services (DSS), on
Sunday, May 2, raised a red flag against
any attempt to force an unconstitutional
change in the country. As if on cue, the
next day, the Nigerian Armed Forces
issued a statement firmly rejecting any
unconstitutional change of government.

It said: “We categorically declare that
the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain
totally committed to the current
administration, as well as all the
democratic institutions associated with
it.” The statement further declared that:

“We will continue to remain apolitical,
subordinate to the civilian authority,
firmly loyal to the President,
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari
and the 1999 Constitution as amended.”
The Presidency followed up these
declarations by claiming there are
Nigerians who want to force a change in
the country. The Presidency, in a
statement issued by the Special Adviser
to the President on Media and Publicity,
Femi Adesina, claimed that: “The agent
provocateurs hope to achieve through
artifice and sleight of hands, what they
failed to do through the ballot box in the
2019 elections. Nigerians have opted for
democratic rule, and the only acceptable
way to change a democratically elected
government is through elections, which
hold at prescribed times in the country.
Any other way is patently illegal and
even treasonable. Of course, such would
attract the necessary consequences.”

So, if the Nigerian government is so
firmly against coups, why is it
supporting and encouraging the coup in
Chad?

If a man says he is against theft, why is
he supporting his neighbour to steal?
For some African leaders, while coups
are forbidden dishes, there is nothing
wrong in sniffing them or enjoying their
aroma, provided they are cooked in
other shores. They are like chichidodo,
the neat, clean bird which hates
excrement but feeds on maggots
growing in the lavatory or excess dog
faeces.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/462992-the-beatification-of-a-coup-plotter-by-owei-lakemfa.html

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