By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
National Democratic Coalition has condemned attempts by some unpatriotic elements to drag the military in to partisan politics.
The Coalition in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Abdulazeez Lamido and Secretary, Ogbonaya Ude, described the two videos circulating online as the work of disgruntled elements.
It said the unpatriotic group are being threatened by the successes of the military.
Meanwhile, the first video clip portrays troops making merry and dancing to music purportedly in celebration and open endorsement of one presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections.
Similarly, the second video clip (with the same visuals as the first one) willfully shows troops supposedly dancing to a derogatory song that insults the personality of another presidential candidate.
To this, the Coalition condemned the videos, asking the security agencies to go after those who produced it.
“We are disturbed that at this time the country is preparing for the 2023 General elections, some elements have made themselves willing tools to cause disaffection in the polity. This is coming at a time the Armed Forces of Nigeria is doing everything within their capacity to deal with the security challenges in the country.
“We have no option but to agree that the producers of the videos are working in tandem with enemies of the country. Obviously, they are angry with the manner the military has gone out to tackle criminal elements.
“The videos are coming a few days after calls for the sack of the CDS over the destruction of illegal bunkering vessel. Clearly, the enemies of Nigeria want to launch attack on the AFN from different angles.
“We are aware that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, has pledged the loyalty of the military leadership to democratic rule in the country.
“During a media chat tagged ‘Open Ears Dialogue’, the CDS urged politicians to desist from luring armed forces members into political matters, saying the military should be insulated from any political persuasions or inclinations.
The statement urged Nigerians to disregard the videos and support the military to succeed in its fight against criminality in the country.”
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