On Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, reassured that the personnel of the Nigerian Army under his leadership accepted and upheld the democratic system of government in the country. Speaking at a seminar for Nigerian Army officers in Abuja, Lagbaja emphasized that the military had no intention of undermining or truncating the democratic system, describing his personnel as dedicated agents of democracy.
The Chief of Army Staff addressed concerns fueled by military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, asserting that the Nigerian Army remained committed to defending the constitution and carrying out its mandates as outlined in the country’s democratic principles.
Lagbaja stated, “The Nigerian Army will continue to defend our constitution and not suspend it for whatever reason. It is the duty of our elected leaders to lead while the military does its job as enshrined in our constitution. Nigerian Army personnel must, therefore, remain professional and be above board as they discharge their constitutional duties.”
This statement aligns with previous declarations by the military, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, who denounced calls for coup d’état as detrimental to the nation. In February, Gen. Musa emphasized that those advocating for a coup were enemies of Nigeria and assured that the Armed Forces were committed to protecting democracy in the country.
Despite challenges and pressure from certain quarters for a change in government, both Gen. Lagbaja and Gen. Musa emphasized the military’s dedication to supporting democracy and upholding the rule of law. They warned against any attempts to subvert the democratic process, highlighting the legal consequences for those advocating otherwise.
