The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has declared that the army will support the democratic regime in the nation, adding that “more democracy” is the only thing that would be preferable to democracy in Nigeria.
According to a statement on Saturday, the COAS further stated that the army is assiduously working to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity and assist appropriate security agencies in safeguarding the safety of people and property within the nation.
The military has taken control of the adjacent Niger Republic, where President Mohamed Bazoum, 63, and his family have been held captive at their presidential house since the coup’s first day on July 26.
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As the military junta has refused to budge despite sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Bazoum portrayed himself as a “hostage” in an essay published in The Washington Post on Thursday. It was his first lengthy remark since his imprisonment.
While speaking to Officer Cadets on Saturday at the Passing Out Parade and Commissioning cum Oath Taking Ceremony for Executive Commission Course 1/2023, which was held at the Major Bulama Biu Parade Ground, Military Cantonment, Jaji, Kaduna State, the Nigerian army chief, Lagbaja, said that Nigeria should experience more democracy.
He argued that increased democracy was the only option available to Nigeria in the current period.
“He added that the desire of every Nigerian is a flourishing, uninterrupted constitutional democratic governance, that promotes national values and the interest of every well-meaning Nigerian, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation,” the army statement said.
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Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, quoted Lagbaja as saying that it is important to remind all officers and soldiers in the Nigerian Army that submission to legitimate authority continues to be the most popular strategy for fostering military professionalism.
He said; “I therefore charge all Nigerian Army personnel to be proud champions of our flourishing democracy and remain apolitical in discharging their constitutional duties.
“NA remains committed to ensuring the security of lives and property across the country, stressing that the Army is working assiduously to protect the territorial integrity of the nation and support relevant security agencies in ensuring the security of lives and property within the country.”
The Oath of Allegiance was delivered to the graduating cadets in the Lieutenant General Ihejirika Auditorium after the COAS granted them Presidential Commission and promoted them to the rank of Lieutenant.
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The 239 graduating cadets, who included 12 female and 228 male cadets, were already serving as soldiers when they were chosen for executive commissioning following three months of rigorous military training from 1 May to 5 August 2023. They were taken from various NA Corps.
But during the passing out ceremony, three Cadets stood out among their peers with flying colours. According to merit, Cadet A Saminu took the top spot, followed by Cadet SC Nwokanta in second place and Cadet OY Yahaya in third.
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