The military has once more advised against making plans to thwart the May 29 transfer of power to President-elect Bola Tinubu.
According to the high leadership, the armed forces are prepared and will ensure a seamless transition process when it happens in 24 days.
On Thursday, Major General Musa Danmadami, the director of defense media operations, issued the warning as Yakubu Gowon, a former military head of state, urged contestants contesting the results of the most recent election to accept the court’s ruling.
Danmadami’s warning comes one month after Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, promised that the military will oppose any attempt to curtail democracy in the nation.
Additionally, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff, had warned the Indigenous People of Biafra, the Eastern Security Network, and other outlaw organizations not to test the military’s resolve by threatening to retaliate harshly against any threats to national security.
A few disgruntled candidates had protested the president-elect’s scheduled inauguration and demanded the establishment of an interim national government, but Danmadami assured defense reporters at the Defense Headquarters in Abuja that the military would make sure the inauguration did not go as planned.
“Military on alert”
He declared, “I will reiterate that we are on standby to make sure that nothing unwanted happens; that the issue of threat to the security and stability of the country is addressed promptly. Elections have come and gone. For the presidential election, a winner has been announced.
“There is a transition committee in place comprising all members of the security agencies, ministries, and agencies of government to make sure the event is held successfully and without a glitch.
“We don’t see reasons why there should be a problem during the activity. The inauguration will come and go and nothing will happen. We are not going to relent in ensuring there is peace and stability across the length and breadth of the country. “
Gowon warned the disgruntled candidates who have filed petitions with the various electoral tribunals to respect the sanctity of the court and graciously accept its ruling in the days to come.
The counsel was given by the wise men in Abuja at the 15th annual symposium and PUNUKA Annual Lecture 2023 in memory of the late Justice Chike Idigbe, a justice of the Supreme Court.
The former military chief advised disgruntled politicians and the public to follow the court’s rulings while stressing the importance of a powerful, independent, and impartial judiciary.
He said, “As we move forward as a nation, let us not forget the role that the judiciary plays in nation-building, especially the apex court, in carrying out its duty of questioning the veracity of the decisions of the lower court.
“As such, we need to allow the apex court their deliberations and come up with their decisions, and as the public, to be humble to accept its decision as final in order to maintain the sanctity of the judiciary as individuals and as an institution.
“This is very important at this stage given the post-election litigation that is now going on. Let us give the judiciary the opportunity to do its work and let us accept their decision as it is.”
He emphasized that “the judiciary plays a vital role in nation-building and in keeping us united as a nation” notwithstanding the challenges the nation has faced since independence.
The judiciary is essentially the protector of the constitution and the rule of law, he continued. I have personally witnessed and experienced firsthand the significance of the judiciary in preserving peace and order in our society as a former head of state.
He praised the late jurist highly and referred to his courage and unwavering commitment to duty in the administration of justice.
“From what I have learnt of Justice Idigbe, his contributions to the judiciary and nation-building cannot be overemphasized. His unwavering commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law is a testament to his unflinching character and his belief in our nation evinced through his life and office,” he submitted.
Yunusa Tanko, the chief spokesperson for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, responded to the military’s warning by saying that the military still had a lot to learn about the rule of law, especially the Electoral Act.
Tanko wondered why the security agency, “which did absolutely nothing when thugs were snatching ballot boxes and intimidating voters, could suddenly wake up to announce that it would deal with those planning to disrupt the May 29 inauguration.’’
He said, “It is very disheartening when the rule of law is negated at the expense of the people. Our position is very clear: The Electoral Act says that all pre-election matters must be dealt with before the swearing-in.
“What we are appealing for the judiciary and the military to look into is the provision of our laws. They are the first line to protect the sovereignty of this country.
“Therefore, they should revisit the position of the law and the Electoral Act as regards our electoral process. As they have sworn to defend the integrity of our democracy, they should be able to follow the rule of law and order.’’
Tanko questioned the military’s dedication to safeguarding democracy, saying, “Interestingly, they (the military) did not protect the interests of the Nigerian people, especially when they were denied their right to vote for the candidates of their choice.
“Neither did they rise or do anything against people who were using thugs to forcefully push their way into power.
These people were not arrested or dealt with. How can you justify such an action when Nigerians are calling for the rule of law to be followed in the dictates of our democracy?
“Nobody is supporting any uprising but the rule of law of engagement must be followed. We are therefore appealing to the military to take a look into the provisions of the law as regards our electoral process. They can then take their cue and give their standing order on that point, not against the interest of the people they swore to protect.”
