₦airaland Forum

Some retired military generals have warned the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government that the way to avert a coup in a country is for the democratically elected government to follow the constitution and promote good governance.

The generals in an interview with PUNCH amid a wave of successful coup missions in some other African countries noted that while coups were not desirable, people no longer wanted to be taken for granted.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has downplayed any worries of a coup, claiming that the country has progressed beyond a forcible seizure of leadership.


It emphasised how Nigerians had completely accepted democracy and how the country's democratic institutions were strengthening.

The Nigerian government stated that the recent coups in certain African nations, particularly nearby Niger Republic, did not inspire dread in Nigeria.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said this in an interview with PUNCH on Friday, noting, “I can tell you that there is no fear or apprehension at all. We have gone past that, and we have been a democratic country all this while with the institutions of democracy getting stronger.”

On Wednesday, the continent experienced its newest coup, the nation's second in 2023, when military soldiers in Gabon took control and placed the deposed President, Ali Bongo, and his family members under house arrest. Gabon is located in Central Africa.

A former Chief of Defence Staff, Alexander Ogomudia, said the coups were a mirror of how elected governments controlled their nations.

No one, he says, would have any moral basis for supporting a coup against a government that meets its campaign pledges and upholds the country's constitution.

He said, “You can’t use what happened in Gabon as a template for what happens everywhere else. For Niger, have you seen the pictures of the country at all? For how many years has France been collecting nuclear materials from that country, and the country is one of the poorest in the world?


“In my place, we have a saying that if you do anyhow, you will see anyhow. So, whoever was ruling Niger, if he was teaming with foreigners to ruin their country; that is doing anyhow. So, if you have a coup now, it is seeing anyhow. I have no advice.

“Every politician knows what is right. Before resuming office, don’t they campaign? If they stick to those promises why would they have a problem? If I say this road to your place is not good, I will fix it for you, and when I get there and I fix the road, will anyone have the moral justification to support a coup against such a person? Those who are planning coups have their reason for planning it, I can’t speak for them.”

Also, Brig.-Gen. Phillip Ashim, said the way to stop coups in Africa was to ensure that the people enjoy good governance. “That is common knowledge, it is good governance. That’s all,” he added.

In a telephone conversation, a former Commander, 1 Division, Brig.-Gen. John Sura (retd.), said that for coups to end in Africa, leaders must respect their constitution and democratic framework.

He said, “There are some basic things African leaders should pay attention to. First, the constitution of every nation must be highly respected. People agitate when they are disenchanted or there is an unacceptable change in the constitution. If the people enjoy good governance, I believe there will be no coup.

“If you look at the developed nations, no matter what happens, they respect their electoral laws and other laws, so people feel at home that their interests are protected. Once countries are well governed and there is respect for the rule of law, we will not be talking of a coup.”


Major General Henry Ayoola (ret.), former Commander of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, also stated that the coups were indicative enough for politicians to change their governing style. He went on to say that democracy should be practised in conformity with the rule the rule of law and that governance was the best guarantee.

He stated, “Let’s practise true democracy and not just civilian rule. Let it be that it is a democracy where we keep to the rule of law, follow due process and procedures or the tenets of democracy. That is the surest way of keeping soldiers out of governance.

“The answer is for the politicians to play the game according to the rules. I give soldiers no reason and no excuse to tamper with the democratic rule. Let us practise democracy.”

He said further that the style of governance on the continent had entrenched impunity such that people didn’t like processes and procedures. “We want to do what we like when we like it and how we like it; that is what is playing out,” he said.

He continued: “I mean how do you explain the Gabon case where the father spent about 27 years ruling the country and the son came spending another 13 years and he just won a fraudulent third term, tampering with the constitution? The best way is not to give the room for it. I don’t like to discuss the issue of looking up to the international bodies to solve our problems for us. It is a shame that we cannot rule ourselves.

https://saharareporters.com/2023/09/02/give-nigerians-good-governance-avert-coup-retired-military-generals-tell-president?

Just for a better tomorrow

Lol.. agbdao no de hear word na

Seems this guys are upto something

Bitter talk but the truth.

Which " GENERALS" told Tinubu..? 😳🙄😒

Una too dey lie
😂😅

Our electoral process must be transparent in order to build trust in any administration that comes onboard. Coup d'ballot must stop to avoid coup d'etat .

Well, military coup might not happen in Nigeria because our military is highly politicised and loyal to who appointed them not the country.

Don't tell him, allow him to continue doing the jagajaga governance.
When military strike, na that time his eyes go clear

001Lagos:
Seems this guys are upto something

Shut up and stop being tribalistic

A Tinubu that got into government via criminal capture of state in the fraudulent election of February 25 2023? Hell no! Once the foundation is faulty, anarchy, impunity, lawlessness, electoral criminally and unconstitutionality reigns supremely.

Don't expect anything developmental or progress. A wrong foundation is a wrong foundation. I am afraid. It is a matter of time. "If you want avert a coup, then remove what causes the coup." - Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed.

IconicR:
Shut up and stop being tribalistic

you too get wahala o 😂

MAKE ONE OF THE RETIRED GENERAL AN OMBUDSMAN TO CHECK CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT-EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATURES AND THE JUDICIARY.

Would they listen

Use coup put Tinubu for him place fast, no time. Nigeria is not lagos.

From Sahara Deserted

Abu4shizo:
Use coup put Tinubu for him place fast, no time. Nigeria is not lagos.

The military would do worse trust me. I know some of the generals

Generals wey no get names. Nigerian Journalism and mediocrity are like 5&6

Sannisege:
Generals wey no get names. Nigerian Journalism and mediocrity are like 5&6

Like play like play

The people who are flying the coup kite should know they are basically planning to end Nigeria once and for all.

ElSudani:
The people who are flying the coup kite should know they are basically planning to end Nigeria once and for all.

As it stand now, the ordinary Nigerians would welcome any coup with open arms and street jubilation should there be one..!!!

Floky215:
As it stand now, the ordinary Nigerians would welcome any coup with open arms and street jubilation should there be one..!!!

We have seen more than enough coups. Perhaps something else like going our separate ways. That may cause some jubilation all right.

001Lagos:
Seems this guys are upto something

They are not up to anything.

Asiwaju will rule till 2031

Floky215:
As it stand now, the ordinary Nigerians would welcome any coup with open arms and street jubilation should there be one..!!!

Speak for yourself alone 🤡🤡

Asiwaju will rule Nigeria till 2031.

What coup? Any attempt at a coup would break up this country. The phantom generals know this.

ElSudani:
We have seen more than enough coups. Perhaps something else like going our separate ways. That may cause some jubilation all right.

That also is another good option but what Nigeria need now is first aid before she finally die...!!