The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Nigerian Army, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has stated that the army would support the democratic dispensation in the country, adding that the only thing better than democracy in Nigeria is “more democracy.”
The COAS added, according to a release on Saturday, 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 army chief’s statement came amid the military takeover in neighbouring Niger Republic where President Mohamed Bazoum, 63, has been detained with his family in his presidential residence since the day of the putsch on July 26.
In a column in The Washington Post on Thursday — his first lengthy statement since his detention — Bazoum had described himself as a “hostage” while the military junta has refused to back down despite sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Meanwhile, speaking on Saturday, the Nigerian army chief, Lagbaja, while addressing Officer Cadets at the Passing Out Parade and Commissioning cum Oath Taking Ceremony for Executive Commission Course 1/2023, held at the Major Bulama Biu Parade Ground, Military Cantonment, Jaji, Kaduna State, said Nigeria should enjoy more democracy.
He declared that the only thing better than democracy for Nigeria in this modern era, was more democracy.
“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.
According to Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations, Lagbaja explained that all officers and men of the Nigerian Army must be reminded that subordination of the military to constituted authority remains the most fashionable means of promoting 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 COAS later conferred Presidential Commission on the Passing out Cadets, to the rank of Lieutenant, after which the Oath of Allegiance was administered to them at the Lieutenant General Ihejirika Auditorium.
The 239 Passing out Cadets comprising 12 female and 228 male Cadets were already in service as soldiers and were drawn from various Corps of the NA, before they were selected for Executive Commissioning, after three months of intensive military training, spanning1 May to 5 August 2023.
However, in the passing out ceremony, three Cadets emerged in flying colours amongst their contemporaries. Cadet A Saminu came first in order of merit, while Cadet SC Nwokanta came second and Cadet OY Yahaya bagged the third position.