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What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" - Politics (2) - Nairaland

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Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by general111(m): 12:29pm On Nov 13, 2025
Bro every institution has its rules,for example a surgeon is not allowed to operate on his family members.He may lose his licence if he does.
In the millitary, you do not take orders from a civilian with exception of the president.
Mind you,the power to give millitary orders cannot be delegated to anyone by the President.
If the president is not around,the next in line will be the vice president,not a bloody civilian like Wike.
The power to order a soldier,is the power to start a war.Imagine giving such powers to a man like wike.
This is why the execute always try to be in good terms with the millitary, else the millitary has the power to remove them.
Rest this matter at once.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by Moveittothem: 12:31pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
I totally agree that Wike hasn't carried his office with desired dignity

But isn't it hypocrisy to defend an abuse of office against another abuse of office?

Is it now a case of "my abuse of office is better than your own abuse of office"?


In any case, if such hypocrisy makes you sleep well at night, indulge yourself...
But when the president contempt court order in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, you didn't research or write epistle where it's on our constitution that the president is above the law?
Now because lawlessness has reach the corridors of people you support, you now remember law? And you parade yourself as intelligent? Good.

Tell me more about hypocrisy
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 12:32pm On Nov 13, 2025
adamkkk:
Am not here to argue legality with you, am just making it clear that a retired officer in the army command much respect and can deploy men too for official duties. It is not new in the army. Wike is lucky they did not flog him with koboko, non of those police or dss would do nothing. Na only civilian Wike power take end.

He tried this stunt last year with another retired General in Abuja, the man sent Wike boys running with Koboko and issued warning to Wike to avoid his property, that was the end of it. Go to Google and do the research, you will see it.

These men served their country, let them enjoy their retirement in peace.
Well spoken like a supporter of impunity

What's now the difference between u and Wike's supporters?

Very shameful...so because they served their Country, the rest of us should leave Nigeria for them?

Did anyone force them to serve the country?Did they serve the country for free?...They were paid for their services yes?..Do you know how much benefits these retired Generals enjoy at Taxpayers expense?...
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by SalamRushdie: 12:33pm On Nov 13, 2025
Let me enlighten you about what the young officer meant since you are not getting it .

Wike described the Vice Admiral as Former Vice Admiral and there is nothing like that , once you attain a rank you have attained except if you are demoted .. the correct thing Wike should have said is

1 Former Chief of Naval Staff

2 Retired Vice Admiral

I hope you get it now
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 12:34pm On Nov 13, 2025
Moveittothem:
But when the president contempt court order in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, you didn't research or write epistle where it's on our constitution that the president is above the law?
Now because lawlessness has reach the corridors of people you support, you now remember law? And you parade yourself as intelligent? Good.

Tell me more about hypocrisy
Creat your own thread of Nnamdi Kanu if you wish

This thread isn't about Nnamdi... Everything doesn't have to be about Nnamdi

Rest
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 12:41pm On Nov 13, 2025
SalamRushdie:
Let me enlighten you about what the young officer meant since you are not getting it .

Wike described the Vice Admiral as Former Vice Admiral and there is nothing like that , once you attain a rank you have attained except if you are demoted .. the correct thing Wike should have said is

1 Former Chief of Naval Staff

2 Retired Vice Admiral

I hope you get it now
Kindly cite the portion of the Armed Forces Act that supports this your assertion


That's the entire point of this thread, in case you didn't read the initial post, or read it but did not understand it
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by oglalasioux(m): 1:26pm On Nov 13, 2025
Once you reach the rank of a general you are always a general. Check through history of all great countries. Their generals are always called from retirement no matter how old if the need be. Generals are the only crop of soldiers that go home with all their uniforms and weapons. There’s a reason that privilege is allowed them. Once a general always a general.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by GerogeI(m): 1:28pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
One of the statements made by Lieutenant Yarima while he was defending his actions of blocking Wike the FCT Minister from access to a property was "once a General, always a General'.

I have done my private research by combing through the Armed Forces Act which established all branches of the Nigerian Armed forces, as well as the Nigerian Constitution which provides their foundational legal authority, and I have seen nothing supporting this frequently bandied assertion that "once a General, always a General'...

If anyone has any legal provision supporting this assertion, please do well to draw it to our attention ...If there is none, then we must call a spade a spade and not a spoon...

As far as I am aware, even the President/Commander-in-Chief, once he leaves office, is not "once a Commander-in-Chief always a Commander-in-Chief' ....All Nigerian Presidents have quietly retired...Even Buhari with all the power he wielded as President, quietly retired to Daura to rest and enjoy his family until he quietly passed on...Even Obasanjo that was both a Military and Democratic President, has never been in the news for constituting a stumbling block to extant authority...

So I am at a loss as to why, someone who has retired from the armed forces as Chief of Naval Staff, will continue giving orders to active members of the armed forces even to the extent of frustrating a sitting Minister's duty...

Of Course I am also aware that senior officers and ex-officers like Buratai and the current CDS have aligned with that Lieutenant's action obeying a retired officer's orders at the expense of an sitting Minister..

But as far as I am concerned, Buratai and the current CDS are simply supporting a system that favors or will favor them in the future... Buratai as EX-COAS enjoys his full perks of retirement which obviously includes the "once a General, always a General' title which grants him certain extra privileges...The sitting CDS is also very aware that he will also retire at some point in the future, so he will be wise to protect that whole "once a General always a General' thing so that he too can enjoy it upon retirement..

However, while in one breath we are berating Wike for lawlessness and abuse of office, we should not in same breath support this whole "once a General always a General' thing if it has no legal foundation, as it will be the height of lawlessness if a few men can sit somewhere and decide that they can drop a uniform and the responsibility/danger/duty that comes with it, but not drop the command benefits and ostensibly illegal perks that go with it...

If we must crucify Wike, we must also examine that retired CNS's authority to issue an order to countermand a sitting Minister...What is good for Greece must also be good for Uganda

After all said and done, these soldiers are employees of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and must like everyone else, be subject to its laws...Even a President isn't always a President issuing laws and stuff after retirement...

Of course all my complains will be moot if someone supplies a law supporting that "once a General always a General' tradition that military retirees frequently rely on to perpetrate impunity outside their service years.
In most professions, once you reach the pinnacle of the profession, you are entitled to all benefits for Life.

A Professor in Nigerian University, before the advent of contributory pension Retires with full Salaries and allowances. The benchmark was set at Professing for 20 years. A professor Emeritus remains a ceremonial part of the faculty after retirement.

A General in the Army will retire with full benefits, and that includes protection against decision made while in command, so yes, they have military men at their command.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 1:33pm On Nov 13, 2025
oglalasioux:
Once you reach the rank of a general you are always a general. Check through history of all great countries. Their generals are always called from retirement no matter how old if the need be. Generals are the only crop of soldiers that go home with all their uniforms and weapons. There’s a reason that privilege is allowed them. Once a general always a general.
Well said

Oya cite the law, which is the purpose of this thread

2 pages down and no one has cited any law grin

The Army is a creation of the Armed Forces Act and the Nigerian Constitution... So Whatever accrues to any of its officers must be in the Armed Forces Act or Constitution.

You have the section or you don't?
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 1:35pm On Nov 13, 2025
GerogeI:
In most professions, once you reach the pinnacle of the profession, you are entitled to all benefits for Life.

A Professor in Nigerian University, before the advent of contributory pension Retires with full Salaries and allowances. The benchmark was set at Professing for 20 years. A professor Emeritus remains a ceremonial part of the faculty after retirement.

A General in the Army will retire with full benefits, and that includes protection against decision made while in command, so yes, they have military men at their command.
Irrelevant to the thread

But ok
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by tishbite41(m): 1:45pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
Doctors and professors practice till they die..Consultant Surgeons operate until arthritis or death stops them..Professors teach far into retirement as Emeritus consultants

Why are your retired Generals not leading men into Combat ?...or is only to bark orders and harass poor civilians from their parlors?

A General retired from service is nothing...end of discussion...If you feel otherwise, point out one retired General that has been in combat post retirement ...

Even in the US and the UK where these soldiers go to take courses, Generals there rest after retirement, and don't constitute themselves into an affront to political authority...
If Nigeria is in a serious war situation, all retired officers who are still in good physical shape will be recalled immediately.
It is unfortunate that you don't know this.
The army uniform of my maternal grandfather (an NCO) is still at the family house 42 years after his demise. You would ask why.
He was the fourth best during the armoured corps training of his time so the military only allowed his early retirement on the basis that he must come back anytime his services were needed. Allowing him to still be in possession of all his uniforms was a testament to that agreement.
The military is deeper than what you think.
Same thing in the US, India, UK, Russia, Pakistan etc.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by oglalasioux(m): 1:49pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
Well said

Oya cite the law, which is the purpose of this thread

2 pages down and no one has cited any law grin

The Army is a creation of the Armed Forces Act and the Nigerian Constitution... So Whatever accrues to any of its officers must be in the Armed Forces Act or Constitution.

You have the section or you don't?
I believe there’s no section that explicitly said once a general always a general. But I do know there’s a section of the armed forces act that says a general goes to retirement with his uniforms and weapons. That they are allowed that privilege is something. For a soldier to reach the rank of a general is no small feat. They have a lot of the nation’s secrets in their heads and should be treated with utmost respect. My opinion.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 1:51pm On Nov 13, 2025
tishbite41:
If Nigeria is in a serious war situation, all retired officers who are still in good physical shape will be recalled immediately.
It is unfortunate that you don't know this.
The army uniform of my maternal grandfather (an NCO) is still at the family house 42 years after his demise. You would ask why.
He was the fourth best during the armoured corps training of his time so the military only allowed his early retirement on the basis that he must come back anytime his services were needed. Allowing him to still be in possession of all his uniforms was a testament to that agreement.
The military is deeper than what you think.
Same thing in the US, India, UK, Russia, Pakistan etc.
Rest

The Armed forces Act stipulates that retired soldiers are subject to civil law unless they are recalled into active service, when they will be subject to martial law

Unless you can prove that your grandpa was recalled into "active service", he was a civilian from his retirement till his death...

Find the Armed Forces Act online and read it...Stop commenting on emotions...Your grandpa or any other soldier for that matter aren't the first or would be the last military retirees
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 1:53pm On Nov 13, 2025
oglalasioux:
I believe there’s no section that explicitly said once a general always a general. But I do know there’s a section of the armed forces act that says a general goes to retirement with his uniforms and weapons. That they are allowed that privilege is something. For a soldier to reach the rank of a general is no small feat. They have a lot of the nation’s secrets in their heads and should be treated with utmost respect. My opinion.
Fair enough

Even though whether a General retires with his guns and uniform is irrelevant to the subject of this thread
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by Guestmale: 2:06pm On Nov 13, 2025
SeverusSnape:
This one is writing epistle as if he's not a Nigerian. Oga wake up from your slumber, This is Nigeria not US or UK.
Most people, including me, supported the action of the officer because of the dislike we have for Wike the toutish minister.
So you know the action was not right but because of the enemy of my enemy is my friend mentality you are supporting lawlessness. The day it will happen to your favorite political office holder,I hope wailing will not fill the internet.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by Moveittothem: 2:11pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
Creat your own thread of Nnamdi Kanu if you wish

This thread isn't about Nnamdi... Everything doesn't have to be about Nnamdi

Rest
You didn't address what I said.

My response wasn't solely about MNK, but about your glaring hypocrisy.

Call it a day.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by SeverusSnape(m): 2:12pm On Nov 13, 2025
Guestmale:
So you know the action was not right but because of the enemy of my enemy is my friend mentality you are supporting lawlessness. The day it will happen to your favorite political office holder,I hope wailing will not fill the internet.
Anything to undermine thieves in government is okay by me and other sane Nigerians. We have integrity. tongue tongue
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by Guestmale: 2:12pm On Nov 13, 2025
general111:
Bro every institution has its rules,for example a surgeon is not allowed to operate on his family members.He may lose his licence if he does.
In the millitary, you do not take orders from a civilian with exception of the president.
Mind you,the power to give millitary orders cannot be delegated to anyone by the President.
If the president is not around,the next in line will be the vice president,not a bloody civilian like Wike.
The power to order a soldier,is the power to start a war.Imagine giving such powers to a man like wike.
This is why the execute always try to be in good terms with the millitary, else the millitary has the power to remove them.
Rest this matter at once.
See Nigeria mentality, military are products of constitution because military has been dabbling to governance through brutal force in Africa and Nigeria,has made us to believe they are above law,no not at all. Military are bound to obey constituted authority in a democratic government.

Moreover the said land being guarded by the said Yerima belong to a retired officer not even a serving one let alone military as organization's official land.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by Guestmale: 2:17pm On Nov 13, 2025
SeverusSnape:
Anything to undermine thieves in government is okay by me and other sane Nigerians. We have integrity. tongue tongue
No sane person will support insanity.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by Gotocourt: 3:42pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
One of the statements made by Lieutenant Yarima while he was defending his actions of blocking Wike the FCT Minister from access to a property was "once a General, always a General'.

I have done my private research by combing through the Armed Forces Act which established all branches of the Nigerian Armed forces, as well as the Nigerian Constitution which provides their foundational legal authority, and I have seen nothing supporting this frequently bandied assertion that "once a General, always a General'...

If anyone has any legal provision supporting this assertion, please do well to draw it to our attention ...If there is none, then we must call a spade a spade and not a spoon...

As far as I am aware, even the President/Commander-in-Chief, once he leaves office, is not "once a Commander-in-Chief always a Commander-in-Chief' ....All Nigerian Presidents have quietly retired...Even Buhari with all the power he wielded as President, quietly retired to Daura to rest and enjoy his family until he quietly passed on...Even Obasanjo that was both a Military and Democratic President, has never been in the news for constituting a stumbling block to extant authority...

So I am at a loss as to why, someone who has retired from the armed forces as Chief of Naval Staff, will continue giving orders to active members of the armed forces even to the extent of frustrating a sitting Minister's duty...

Of Course I am also aware that senior officers and ex-officers like Buratai and the current CDS have aligned with that Lieutenant's action obeying a retired officer's orders at the expense of an sitting Minister..

But as far as I am concerned, Buratai and the current CDS are simply supporting a system that favors or will favor them in the future... Buratai as EX-COAS enjoys his full perks of retirement which obviously includes the "once a General, always a General' title which grants him certain extra privileges...The sitting CDS is also very aware that he will also retire at some point in the future, so he will be wise to protect that whole "once a General always a General' thing so that he too can enjoy it upon retirement..

However, while in one breath we are berating Wike for lawlessness and abuse of office, we should not in same breath support this whole "once a General always a General' thing if it has no legal foundation, as it will be the height of lawlessness if a few men can sit somewhere and decide that they can drop a uniform and the responsibility/danger/duty that comes with it, but not drop the command benefits and ostensibly illegal perks that go with it...

If we must crucify Wike, we must also examine that retired CNS's authority to issue an order to countermand a sitting Minister...What is good for Greece must also be good for Uganda

After all said and done, these soldiers are employees of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and must like everyone else, be subject to its laws...Even a President isn't always a President issuing laws and stuff after retirement...

Of course all my complains will be moot if someone supplies a law supporting that "once a General always a General' tradition that military retirees frequently rely on to perpetrate impunity outside their service years.
Retirement package, Military guards, Care by military, official Rifle. If you see a Hilux or SUV with military soldier driving it, don't engage oOoOO, na demmm
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 3:55pm On Nov 13, 2025
Gotocourt:
Retirement package, Military guards, Care by military, official Rifle. If you see a Hilux or SUV with military soldier driving it, don't engage oOoOO, na demmm
Which goes to show that they are more than adequately compensated for their service

Abi na we leaving the country for dem go satisfactorily compensate them?
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by tishbite41(m): 5:48pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
Rest

The Armed forces Act stipulates that retired soldiers are subject to civil law unless they are recalled into active service, when they will be subject to martial law

Unless you can prove that your grandpa was recalled into "active service", he was a civilian from his retirement till his death...

Find the Armed Forces Act online and read it...Stop commenting on emotions...Your grandpa or any other soldier for that matter aren't the first or would be the last military retirees
Man retired and became a transporter.
He overcame every hurdle from regulatory agencies by wearing his uniform to any court or police station he was charged to.
Each time, the presiding judge would acquit and discharge him because of his uniform.
Like I said, you don't understand how this things go.
Shagari was overthrown because he couldn't handle civilian-military affairs in his government.
If Wike is not careful, this could be the beginning of the end for him.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 5:51pm On Nov 13, 2025
tishbite41:
Man retired and became a transporter.
He overcame every hurdle from regulatory agencies by wearing his uniform to any court or police station he was charged to.
Each time, the presiding judge would acquit and discharge him because of his uniform.
Like I said, you don't understand how this things go.
Shagari was overthrown because he couldn't handle civilian-military affairs in his government.
If Wike is not careful, this could be the beginning of the end for him.
Blatant tales by moonlight...Court go acquit retiree because of im uniform because na your grandpa appoint am grin


As you sef talk am, how e sound for your ear?
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by general111(m): 5:57pm On Nov 13, 2025
Guestmale:
See Nigeria mentality, military are products of constitution because military has been dabbling to governance through brutal force in Africa and Nigeria,has made us to believe they are above law,no not at all. Military are bound to obey constituted authority in a democratic government.

Moreover the said land being guarded by the said Yerima belong to a retired officer not even a serving one let alone military as organization's official land.
It is the same constitution that makes it that the only civilian that can order the millitary is the president.
Wallow in ignorance if you may.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by tishbite41(m): 6:05pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
Blatant tales by moonlight...Court go acquit retiree because of im uniform because na your grandpa appoint am grin


As you sef talk am, how e sound for your ear?
I don't need you to believe me
Wike will believe me
grin grin grin
You think sey military na Boys' Scout
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by GerogeI(m): 7:24pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
Irrelevant to the thread

But ok
Are you OK at all, you are demanding for a law as if you even have a clue. Details of progression in any profession is not stipulated through law. Not even that of civil service is codified in law.

Rather you may have a code of practice, or Establishment papers for gov agencies.
In the case of the military, its a colonial hand down, so the most likely upto date stipulation will be detailed in the staff remuneration system documents.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by buygala(op): 7:31pm On Nov 13, 2025
GerogeI:
Are you OK at all, you are demanding for a law as if you even have a clue. Details of progression in any profession is not stipulated through law. Not even that of civil service is codified in law.

Rather you may have a code of practice, or Establishment papers for gov agencies.
In the case of the military, its a colonial hand down, so the most likely upto date stipulation will be detailed in the staff remuneration system documents.
I would have called you a fool


But I will rather say "ok" smiley
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by GerogeI(m): 7:44pm On Nov 13, 2025
buygala:
I would have called you a fool


But I will rather say "ok" smiley
Myself would have called you a "Charlatan"
But let me say "aimless wast of time"
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by otomatic(m): 8:03pm On Nov 13, 2025
Sir, I request to enlighten you. There is no such thing as a former General; once a General, always a General.

You may have former Presidents, former Governors, even former Chief of Naval Staff, but, a General is for life.

Check their retirement benefits. How many soldiers are given to the retired Generals to serve them at tax-payer's expense?
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by Guestmale: 8:30pm On Nov 13, 2025
general111:
It is the same constitution that makes it that the only civilian that can order the millitary is the president.
Wallow in ignorance if you may.
Then that means military are not to obey the law they are free to do whatever they like moreover in this case which order are being given and to who.
Re: What Law Stipulates "Once A General Always A General" by xcitedjay(m): 8:43pm On Nov 13, 2025
I haven't seen a single video where the officer mentions this phrase: "Once a General, always a General". Wike called the former Chief of Naval Staff a former Vice Admiral and he corrected Wike. He is a retired Vice Admiral, not a former Vice Admiral.

The Federal Government continues to pay Generals their full salary even after retirement till depart this world. Maybe you should protest to the Federal Government against this since you believe that your phrase "once a General, always a General" is wrong or illegal.
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