Support democracy not party, Oshiomhole tells military
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has called on officers
and men of the nation’s armed forces to take sides with democracy, saying their
support should be for the people and not the ruling class or a political party.
Mr Oshiomhole made the appeal yesterday at the launch of the
2011 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem Appeal Fund in Benin City.
According to him, “the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces
must be to the Nigerian nation. And it is important as we are approaching the
next general elections that the Nigeria Armed Forces must stand on the side of
democracy.They must remind themselves that they are for the country and not for
the ruling party. If there is a conflict between the interest of the ruling
party and the interest of the Nigerian nation, the interest of the nation is
superior to that of any political party.
“When we stand by the people and defend the democracy, not
individuals,then the campaign of One man, one Vote will be thororughly carried
out even to into the military barracks.”
Divisive politicians
He berated the political class for its divisive tendencies which
tend to weaken the foundation of the nation, saying “whereas Nigerian Armed
Forces have continued to struggle to keep the country together, the evidence is
everywhere that the political class or a good section of the political class
often behave in a manner to weaken our national unity.” Mr Oshiomhole also
admonished Nigerians to ensure that their actions do not threaten the unity of
the country, adding that “Nigeria will never know peace for as long as there is
no justice.”
Earlier,the Edo State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Johnbull
Awanbor a retired colonel, commended the governor for the developmental strides
in the State. He appealed to the state head to consider members of the legion
for opportunities to serve the state.
The emblem launch was attended by the Commander of the 4
Brigade,
Benin City, Abel Umahi; Commandant, 81 Air Maritime Group, Air Commander J.
Atiku; representative of the Police Commissioner, top government functionaries,
among others.
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