Coup: Army should avoid further battering of Nigeria’s image

The Nigeria 2015 Group has cautioned the Nigerian army to avoid reducing the standing of the country in the eyes of the world by not showing any significant interest in politics, while civilians tempting the military into politics must hold their heads in shame.

The group said that it is concerned that the military is beginning to show some interest in politics, though yet to be substantiated.

In a statement, the lead communication officers of the body, Kingsley Ogbonda, said it commended the Chief of Army staff, Gen. Buratai for his brave and patriotic alert of the activities of some soldiers showing interest in politics, and his appeal for the military to stay out of politics.

“The army must remain constrained by their constitutionally defined role of protecting the territorial integrity of the country from external aggression and remain apolitical.

The records show that past military interventions in Nigerian politics badly militated against the political, economic development of the country for which Nigerians are still waiting for genuine contrition from the army in those episodes.”

The body noted that unlike the patriotic nationalist armies of the Asian, Latin American and Arab world, the Nigerian army in politics superintended over the diminution of moral values in the society.