Group warns against politicising military, backs CDS Oluyede

A civil society group, the Citizens Security Awareness Initiative, has dismissed allegations linking the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, to partisan political activities, describing the claims as false and potentially damaging to public confidence in Nigeria’s military.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the organisation’s Convener, Muktar Sadiq, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained a professional institution committed to the Constitution, democratic principles and political neutrality.

Sadiq urged Nigerians to disregard recent narratives suggesting that Oluyede was aligned with any political party, describing such claims as baseless and politically motivated.

According to him, attempts to draw the military into partisan political contests could weaken public confidence in the institution and pose a threat to the country’s democratic development.

He said Oluyede’s responsibilities remained centred on protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and coordinating military efforts against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

Sadiq added that the CDS had continued to provide strategic direction for military operations across the country and should not be distracted by allegations designed to portray him as a political actor.

“The Chief of Defence Staff is a professional soldier whose allegiance is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not to any political party. Attempts to portray him as a partisan actor are not only false but also unfair to the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement said.

The organisation stressed that the military was an institution belonging to all Nigerians, regardless of their political, ethnic or religious affiliations, and therefore had to remain above partisan interests.

It warned that attempts to politicise the Armed Forces could erode confidence in national institutions and fuel divisions within the democratic system.

CSAI also maintained that the credibility of military institutions depended largely on their professionalism and neutrality, urging stakeholders to discourage actions capable of compromising those principles.

The group commended officers and soldiers for their sacrifices in maintaining national security, noting that military personnel continued to risk their lives in operations across different parts of the country.

According to the organisation, the Armed Forces under Oluyede had remained focused on their constitutional mandate despite the security challenges facing Nigeria.

CSAI appealed to politicians, activists and public commentators to exercise restraint in their statements and avoid remarks that could create the impression of military alignment with particular political interests.

It also urged journalists and media organisations to verify information before publication and refrain from giving prominence to claims that had not been substantiated.

The group reaffirmed its confidence in Oluyede’s leadership, expressing optimism that the Armed Forces would continue to uphold professionalism, patriotism and political neutrality.

It further called on Nigerians to support the military and other security agencies in their efforts to strengthen peace, security and stability nationwide.

The Citizens Security Awareness Initiative has dismissed allegations linking the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, to partisan political activities, describing the claims as false and potentially damaging to public confidence in Nigeria’s military.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the organisation’s Convener, Muktar Sadiq, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained a professional institution committed to the Constitution, democratic principles and political neutrality.

Sadiq urged Nigerians to disregard recent narratives suggesting that Oluyede was aligned with any political party, describing such claims as baseless and politically motivated.

According to him, attempts to draw the military into partisan political contests could weaken public confidence in the institution and pose a threat to the country’s democratic development.

He said Oluyede’s responsibilities remained centred on protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and coordinating military efforts against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

Sadiq added that the CDS had continued to provide strategic direction for military operations across the country and should not be distracted by allegations designed to portray him as a political actor.

“The Chief of Defence Staff is a professional soldier whose allegiance is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not to any political party. Attempts to portray him as a partisan actor are not only false but also unfair to the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement said.

The organisation stressed that the military was an institution belonging to all Nigerians, regardless of their political, ethnic or religious affiliations, and therefore had to remain above partisan interests.

It warned that attempts to politicise the Armed Forces could erode confidence in national institutions and fuel divisions within the democratic system.

CSAI also maintained that the credibility of military institutions depended largely on their professionalism and neutrality, urging stakeholders to discourage actions capable of compromising those principles.

The group commended officers and soldiers for their sacrifices in maintaining national security, noting that military personnel continued to risk their lives in operations across different parts of the country.

According to the organisation, the Armed Forces under Oluyede had remained focused on their constitutional mandate despite the security challenges facing Nigeria.

CSAI appealed to politicians, activists and public commentators to exercise restraint in their statements and avoid remarks that could create the impression of military alignment with particular political interests.

It also urged journalists and media organisations to verify information before publication and refrain from giving prominence to claims that had not been substantiated.

The group reaffirmed its confidence in Oluyede’s leadership, expressing optimism that the Armed Forces would continue to uphold professionalism, patriotism and political neutrality.

It further called on Nigerians to support the military and other security agencies in their efforts to strengthen peace, security and stability nationwide.