“Stay Off Politics,” Army Chief Buratai warns Nigerian soldiers as coup rumours spread

The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has given a stern warning to army officials to stay off politics and politically related activities.

Mr. Buratai gave the order on Tuesday via a statement issued by the Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, a brigadier general.

“This is to inform the public that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Nigerian Army, has received information that some individuals have been approaching some officers and soldiers for undisclosed political reasons. On the basis of that, he has warned such persons to desist from these acts”.

Although Mr. Usman did not disclose the “political reasons”, military sources had told PREMIUM TIMES that the Army hierarchy was disturbed by rumours of a coup being planned by junior officers.

A top military official told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Buratai, a lieutenant general, had even raised the issue with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and promised to nip it in the bud.

The concern may have informed Mr. Buratai’s decision to reshuffle the postings of top military generals last week.

The rumours worsened following President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent sickness that saw him travelling to London for further treatment, weeks after he spent over 50 days in London for medical reasons. Like in his previous trip, the president wrote the National Assembly transferring powers to his deputy, Mr. Osinbajo.

On Tuesday, the army chief warned all officers and soldiers interested in politics to resign their commission or apply for voluntary discharge forthwith.

“Any officer or soldier of Nigerian Army found to be hobnobbing with such elements or engaged in unprofessional conducts such as politicking would have himself or herself to blame,” the army spokesperson said.

Nigeria has witnessed 18 years of interrupted democracy after the last military government relinquished power in 1999. The country in 2015 also witnessed its first ever opposition victory which saw the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party losing presidential and parliamentary elections to the incumbent All Progressives Congress.
Mr. Usman on Tuesday reiterated that the Nigerian Army will remain apolitical and respect the Nigerian constitution at all times.

Source: https://www.google.com.ng/amp/www.premiumtimesng.com/news/231436-stay-off-politics-army-chief-buratai-warns-nigerian-soldiers-as-coup-rumours-spread.html/amp

Mere rumours.

In Tuface voice" Nothing dey happen "

We will resist any kind of Coup,even if it is with rocks and sticks.

The worst democratic government is better than the best military government.

and i been dey dream say thm plan coup on every looter ooo

Buhari and Burati, two men that should be ashamed of themselves. Does he even know where Baba is or if Baba has the mindset to even command the security of the Western World companies resources, I mean, federal Republic of Nigeria lol?


They cant even beat Cameroon, yet from time to time they get erection and want to make noise to civilians. I don't blame them, because those civilians love their pastors, love the English premier league as if their papa get am', and love dancing to rubbish called Davido.

Too bad

If our democracy had been working, would these militirised bigos be thinking of a coup?

Long overdue

swagagolic01:
Let this karma visit Buhari in full dose pls

If Karma visits Buhari and a successful coup is achieved, who will suffer the brunt most?

Earlier you realize who, the better.....

We already are in season II Military Regime of Gen. Buhari naa..!!

Hmmm

Military government? Unless we have a 'ready-to-help -Nigeria' military government.

Nigeria will be in shambles if a corrupt military government comes to power. We will remember Buhari's and Jonathan's regime as good times.

Believe me!

Extend Whistle Blowing to suspected recalcitrant Elements in our Military right now.

swagagolic01:
Let this karma visit Buhari in full dose pls

All this kids born in 2005 self. If military take over, a site like nairaland will be history, why ? Because most of our post and opinions are anti government, we blast government officials , call this and that clueless, try that with a military leader, seun the owner will cool off in kuje prison. We all enjoy freedom of speech and fundamental human right, with a military all become history.

Thunder fire them. They want interrupt our democracy again. They are not comfortable that Osibande is charge and might take over.

The born to rule fulanis would not want a repeat of yaradua's case. Don't be surprised if Burutai is part of the coup

Don't mind that Buratai, it's a lie joor, he just want to be noticed... Who get that time now?

Hmmmmm..... when the centre cannot longer hold, things will definitely fall apart.





success to all JAMBites

old school.

Truth is the situation in Nigeria is annoying enough to push non tolerant young bloods in the army to consider coup

Any coup will lead to the disintegration of Nigeria

I am laughing really hard at some of the comments here defending and upholding "democracy". A military take-over is the last thing we need. True. But then look at it this way,what we have been operating since 1999 isn't exactly a democracy. A lot of what were obtainable during the military are still obtainable today and truth be told with the way things are going it will take a huge streak of luck to keep the military out for long. As a keen student of Nigerian history,I have observed that the very factors that led to the coups witnessed in the country prior to 1999 are still very much inherent in our politics. Corruption,do-or-die politics,nepotism and tribalism,etc. So,seriously,we have been very lucky to have kept the military out for 18 good years.

Bugatie:
Truth is the situation in Nigeria is annoying enough to push non tolerant young bloods in the army to consider coup

What alternative do they have? Military intervention was the major reason we are in this mess

deflover:
Long over due
If it happens
Let them kill all the politicians
From 1960 till date
Every former head of state
Governor

Nigeria needs a factory reset

You can't just go around killing people in other to have a reset.

The problem is not the aforementioned but the society that produces these leaders.
A society that celebrates without asking questions
A society that pays more emphasis on religion and ethnic makeup rather than what you can offer.
A society that doesn't value handwork with youth always looking for easy way to success.

These are the behavior we need to change not killing our so-called leaders because if we are successful in killing these set of leaders, their children will step in and they will do worse

The political class will have only themselves to blame if a military coup happens. They have been toying with the affairs of this country for far too long. Look at the corruption in the system,look at the unwholesome conditions in the country. Look at the level of insecurity in the country that has stretched the military thin. These politicians have failed woefully and as such the soldiers might now be seeing themselves as an alternative to this civil rule.

naijaboy756:
Keep quiet joor... Which suffering can be worse than the current one? what are the masses enjoying now? Is the economic situation in Nigeria not worse than all military regimes?

You must be a kid!

mansakhalifa:
The political class will have only themselves to blame if a military coup happens. They have been toying with the affairs of this country for far too long. Look at the corruption in the system,look at the unwholesome conditions in the country. Look at the level of insecurity in the country that has stretched the military thin. These politicians have failed woefully and as such the soldiers might now be seeing themselves as an alternative to this civil rule.

I don't think so brother, the politicians have the money to escape the system when things turn upside down, the real people that will be at the receiving end of whatever calamity coming is the poor and the working class.
The military has no business in government, they don't have the know-how or the patriotism to lead a nation, they were responsible for the majority of the country problem in the first place.

Benekruku:



You must be a kid!

Don't mind some of these kid running their mouth. Nigeria achieved much from 1999 to 2017 than throughout the military era. people with the freedom to talk anyhow, post stupid comments on social media are now clamoring for Military intervention

osinbanjo should just tread with caution coz buratai might even be d one plotting d coup