The Defence Headquarters said it notes with dismay the story being peddled around that some military officers met with a presidential candidate with the aim of disrupting the general elections and setting the country on fire.
A statement by the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Bridgadier General Tukur Gusau said “the malicious propaganda indicated that a so-called Thursday meeting is plotting a Coup d’etat to establish unconstitutional order.”
The military further said: “It is disheartening that even politically exposed persons can denigrate themselves into joining agents of destabilisation and violence in making false claims just to heighten tension in the polity” stating that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military that is loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic and will never be part of any plot against democracy.
Tukur said the Military remains apolitical and neutral in the current political process and will not engage in the alleged shenanigans.
Part of the statement read: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria will never be part of any ignoble plot to truncate the hard-earned democracy.
“The Military warn that those who engage in fabricating and spreading unfounded misinformation will be invited by the appropriate law enforcement agencies to substantiate their claims.”
The Defence Headquarters advised the general public to disregard such information and go about their normal activities.
Former Minister of Aviation and chieftain of All Progressive Congress APC, Femi Fani-kayode, in a tweet under Femi Fani-Kayode@realFFK, said: “There are reports that @atiku had a secret meeting with serving military Generals in Abuja on Thursday. If true, it is troubling & has implications. What was the purpose? Why would a presidential candidate be having secret meetings with soldiers 14 days before the election?
“Is this meeting part of the wider agenda to disrupt the elections, destabilise the country, set us on fire, incite chaos and violence, provoke a coup d’etat and establish a new and unconstitional order in our beloved country under the auspices of an ING?”, Fani-kayode had asked in the tweet.
