2019 Election: Buratai warns soldiers to stay away from politics
Soldiers are not expected to engage in political activities ahead of the 2019 election, the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, has said.
Buratai warned and promised stiff punishments for soldiers who are found guilty of showing support for any political party.
He said at a Conference in Abuja on Tuesday that any soldier willing to participate in politics should “voluntarily retire from the army to pursue his or her political passion.”
“As political activities unfold towards the 2019 general elections, the General Officer Commanding and the Field Commanders are enjoined to continue to remind officers and soldiers under their commands to remain non-partisan and be guided by the stipulated code of conduct in the discharge of their duties. As professional soldiers, none of us should be sympathetic to any political, religious or ethnic cause. Any personnel of the army who is interested in politics should voluntarily retire to pursue his or her political passion,” the COAS said.
“Furthermore, there is the prohibition of army personnel from any form of worship outside the established barracks worship areas, except those permitted for some peculiar social functions. I want to reiterate that the special court-martial to try defaulters is already in place. I enjoin you to refrain from any occult, ethnic, political or religious extremism as these would distract us from our constitutional responsibility.”
Buratai also said the Army was seriously looking into cases of drug abuse among operatives.
“The issue of drugs and other substance abuse is an area that could pose a serious threat to the operational capabilities and effectiveness of the army if the extra commitment is not taken towards eliminating it,” Buratai added.
