DEPUTY President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has faulted
statements which insinuated that he called for a military intervention
in the country.
We warned that it was such reckless abuse of power and impunity that
scuttled our previous republics, especially the first republic and I
cautioned politicians not take our democracy for granted.
“Of course, some people took it out of context and said I was calling
for a military coup. I never called for a military coup. I never said
the military was planning any coup. Even the military’s statement
admitted that my statement was only cautionary and that we were sincere.
But they went as far as saying that the international community should
ignore my words of caution.
“I hold the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces in high regard. They
have defended our democracy, our people and have acquitted themselves
creditably. If they need anything now, it is encouragement, because this
is not the best of times for them.
“But we do hope that when parliamentarians make statements, they (the
military) should be able to know exactly what they said before reacting
so that we don’t overheat the system.
“Our debate is circulating on the internet, unedited, and I never
said the army was planning a coup and I never invited them to plan any
coup. But I strongly hold the view that our political leaders should ere
on the side of caution by refraining from past mistakes and actions
inimical to democratic practice.”
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