In spite of the criticism they have received over the years, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has again pledged loyalty to the sitting President.
The pledge was made on Thursday during the decoration of newly promoted senior officers of the Nigerian Army (NA).
Minister of Defence, retired Major General Bashir Magashi told them to discharge their duties professionally.
He spoke at the Army Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, as some Brigadier Generals became Major Generals; a number of Colonels moved up to the Brigadier General rank.
Magashi described their elevation as recognition of diligence and sacrifices individually and collectively to the military.
The minister assured that the government will continue to support the Army by acquiring additional hardware for operations across the country.
Army spokesman, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu said Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya charged the Generals “to remain loyal to the President and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
Yahaya reminded them of the current security challenges and urged them to remain focused in their effort to ensure peace and security.
According to Nwachukwu’s statement, Maj Gen Chijioke Onwunle, on behalf of the officers, “reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the constitution”.
In May, Robert Clarke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), suggested that the military should control the government temporarily and restructure Nigeria.
Reacting, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the advice to take power from President Muhammadu Buhari.
Gen Nwachukwu, then Director of Defence Information, said the military “shall remain apolitical, subordinate to the civil authority, firmly loyal to the Commander-in-Chief, President Buhari and the constitution”.
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