The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Father Hassan Kukah, has a serous grouse with the military people, either retired or still in service, that have refused to allow civilians to rule Nigeria in the democratic form of government the nation is running.
He said: “You know that the military has already taken away most of our years in this democracy, and as you have seen, they are still not yet through with us. After General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Muhammadu Buhari, how many more generals do you want to have as Presidents? Will civilians grow this democracy or will it be the duty of soldiers?
“My people, we must make progress and our democracy will grow. This is not anti-military rally but please soldiers, retired and serving, give us civilians, the chance to rule.
“Let those soldiers, who have retired, enjoy the benefit of their retirement and let the soldiers, who are serving, remain in the military and do very well what they set out to do when they joined the military.
Kukah spoke today at the formal presentation of a biography of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, titled Destiny Calling My Name, in Abuja..
He however acknowledged the fact that the nation’s democracy had made tremendous progress in the past years, adding: “I believe that most Nigerians must be very pleased that when it mattered, our military displayed a high sense of responsibility.”
He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the courage to accept defeat in the last election to put to rest speculations that he had put some options in place as a strategy in the event that the PDP lost the election.
He also commended Badeh for assuring Nigerians of the standard of professionalism and democratic credentials of the military. [myad]
