The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawlle, has ordered the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) go after mischief makers calling for military coup in Nigeria.
Matawalle noted that those behind the call for an undemocratic change of government are “agents of darkness.”
Describing them as criminal elements, the defence minister stated that those calling for military takeover must be arrested and brought to justice.
“Some mischief makers posted viral videos and inciting statements on the media depicting a false situation and impression and encouraging the military to truncate the constitution, which they will never do because they have been aligned with democratic culture, which makes coups no longer fashionable,” he said.
“Just because criminal elements attacked a warehouse and a haulage vehicle carrying food items to other parts of the country is not enough reason for unpatriotic individuals to resort to calling for military intervention, which has no place in modern realities.”
Matawalle’s directive was contained in a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Press and Information, MOD, titled, “Democracy is Working in Nigeria, Warns those Calling for Truncation of Constitutional Government’.
The statement reads: “The Minister warned coup mongers calling for the unconstitutional change of government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to desist from their inglorious calling, warning that the government would not treat those behind it with kid gloves.
“The call for violent change of government by the military is absurd, preposterous, and naive, as the military has come to reality with a democratic government in Nigeria and is focused on their constitutional duty of defending the constitution.
“The Minister warns against the dangerous allure of coups, stating, ‘Those calling for coups do not love Nigeria. Under the present government, there will be no military takeover of power.
“The harbingers of this evil thought are agents of distabilization, as Nigeria has a democratic government in place, democracy is in action under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the dividends of democracy are being delivered.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has provided a level playing ground for people to express themselves, which is one of the pillars of democracy, and fundamental human rights are being respected.
“In addition, some mischief makers posted viral videos and inciting statements on the media depicting a false situation and impression and encouraging the military to truncate the constitution which they will never do because they have been aligned with democratic culture, which makes coups no longer fashionable.
“However, consequent to this and other extenuating factors, the Ministry of Defence is warning all the propagators calling for truncation of the constitutional government to desist from it and face the democratic reality on ground, as the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has directed the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to go after the criminals and enemies of democracy and bring them to justice.
“Nigeria is a peaceful country where citizens enterprise, no uprising, no mass protest, and just because criminal elements attacked a warehouse and a haulage vehicle carrying food items to other parts of the country, that is not enough reason for unpatriotic individuals to resort to calling for military intervention, which has no place in modern realities.
“The military is highly professionalised with good civil-military relationships, and they are exhibiting the highest standard of professionalism with the defence of our constitution as a top priority.
“I urge all Nigerians to come together to support and keep faith in the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his efforts to make Nigeria great.
“Consequently, Dr Matawalle reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to defend the constitution and uphold democracy.
“He assures the public of the military’s readiness to ensure the safety and security of the nation.”
The agents of darkness are the ones governing us that we begin to see military rule as better than democracy. Darkness should not call light darkness, darkness light. You better do the needful than threatening people expressing their feelings and wishes for better life. By this threat, are you any better than military rule? Let us be fully under their rule, so that we would know that we don’t have the right to speak out or criticize the government, since expressing your wish now is a crime or treason.