The Olowu of Kuta in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Adekunle Makama Oyelude, has cautioned Nigerians not to drag the Armed Forces into politics “because of its negative effects on the nation”.
To deepen and sustain democracy, the monarch warned that the Armed Forces should be insulated from politics.
Addressing reporters in his palace, Oba Oyelude noted that since the return of civilian rule in 1999, opposition parties were fond of accusing incumbent administration of using the military to suppress it before, during and after the general elections.
According to the monarch, the statutory responsibility of the military is to protect the territorial integrity of the nation and not to meddle in the “murky water of politics”.
He said: “Involving the military in politics is unhealthy for our nascent and growing democracy and the process of nation-building. This ugly trend creates unnecessary tension in the polity and it also reduces the military to a dispensable tool in the hands of the political class.
“So, I am appealing to our politicians, as we go into the general elections, to leave the Armed Forces out of the process of elections. Our military is not only the symbol of national unity and cohesion but also defenders of nation’s integrity.”
Oba Oyelude urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the military and shun comments that could dampen their morale in the fight against insurgency.
The monarch also warned Nigerians against spreading fake news, saying those fond of disseminating incredible information are enemies of the nation.
According to him, those behind dissemination of fake news include faceless individuals and civil society organisations (CSOs).
Oba Oyelude said their intention is at cross purposes with national interest.
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