Army will not disrupt democratic governance, says Lagbaja

•To partner govt, private sector to address food security

Following recent protests calling for undemocratic intervention in Nigeria’s governance by the Armed Forces, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has said that the Army will not succumb to calls by young Nigerians and powerful interest blocs to disrupt democratic governance in the country.

The COAS made this known in Uyo during the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff combined second and third quarters conference, yesterday.

He said that the Nigerian Army is still struggling to restore its integrity after many years of military rule, and, hence, is not ready to lose the prestige it has built in the past 25 years of staying out of power.

The COAS, who spoke against the backdrop of calls by youths for military intervention during the August 1 to 10 #EndbadGovernance protest, pledged to ensure that the Army works for a united and secure country.

He said: “The protest that was held between August 1 and 10 this year was largely driven by provocative and inciting social media traffic, although it was professionally managed by the Nigeria Police Force, supported by the military and other security agencies.

“Another pertinent issue that came up during the protest was the call for undemocratic intervention in governance by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, although one can say that this was coming from young Nigerians, who never experienced Nigeria’s extensive military rule and the concerted struggle by heroes and heroines of our current democratic dispensation to get the nation on its current path. As Chief of Army Staff, my simple response to the call is: “Thanks, but no thanks!” The Nigerian Army will not allow itself to be used to undemocratically sail interests to power.”

He also promised to review the agricultural policy of the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited to significantly boost crop production to enable it to release grains into the market at a subsidised rate in support of the government efforts.

Lagbaja added that the Army Headquarters is reviewing proposals for partnerships with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government, as well as reputable private organisations on how best to collaborate to resolve the food crisis in the country.

He lamented that aside from known threats of terrorism, insurgence, banditry, illegal mining, and farmers-herders’ crises, recent protests in the country, which were primarily driven by discontent over economic issues and government policies, resulted in significant unrest, and, in some cases, violence. The army chief added that the armed forces will not only focus on physical security and defence of the nation but noted that food and social security can also snowball into physical security challenges.