CSOs raise alarm over plots to drag Army’s reputation into politics

The Coalition of CSOs on good governance in Nigeria has raised the alarm over what it described as grand plot by some paid agents of unpatriotic politicians towards dragging the Nigeria Military Army into the murky waters of politics with a view to heat up the polity and causing untold distractions in the ongoing Boko Haram War in North East Nigeria.

The CSOs also cried out over the alleged plan to thwart the progress that has been made in fighting terrorism and return Nigeria to the days when the road in major cities have to be sealed off with concrete boulders.

Evangelist Gabriel Donko, National Convener, in a statement obtained on Tuesday, said some persons and their paymasters called for an outright sack of the Chief of Army Staff and some frontline commanders in the Theatre of War, it also smacks of mischief, abetted by pecuniary gains.

“This makes us wonder how much blood they are willing to get on their conscience and that is assuming this is a concept they are familiar with,” Donko said.

The statement noted that the smear campaign is not only futile, it is of poor taste and laced with ulterior motives because of the personalities of the characters involved.

He said: “The point when the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria begins to act on the tantrums of these kinds of inconsequential urchins then the end has come. Thankfully, nothing on record suggests that the ill-advised clamour would be treated higher than the nonsense that it is.

“These characters are indeed men of low moral standing in the society, whose stock in trade revolves around propaganda, blackmail, and extortion.

“The Coalition of CSOs on Good Governance in Nigeria wishes to use this medium to inform the general public of the nefarious activities of some groups of marauding elements, which from all purpose and intents do not wish for the war against Boko Haram insurgents to come to an end for their selfish reasons. Since their meal tickets are tied to the continued existence of Boko Haram, we strongly suggest that they earnestly seek out new food sources as the Boko Haram channel is one that has now been guaranteed to run dry in the coming months owing to the superlative manner in which the Nigerian Army under General Buratai has dealt the terrorists repeated devastating blows.

“And for the purpose of clarity, the Nigeria Army under the leadership of Lt Gen Tukur Buratai has catapulted professionalism to the point where its institutional ethos and mission has seen significant improvement in the last three years. Discerning Nigerians and indeed any right thinking person on earth will at some point pitch media reports against the reality on ground, save for the few bad eggs whose activities cannot be excused from being influenced by subversive interests, the unbiased observer will find an Army that has been improved in hardware and welfare for its personnel.

“We at this moment call on well-meaning Nigerians to continue to extend their support to the Nigeria Military towards winning the war against Boko Haram Insurgents and entrenching an era of peace and tranquillity for sustainable development.

“Finally, we categorically state that the Nigeria Military is not involved in politics and has never been, and as such political merchants and contractors should be guided accordingly.”