Asking Us To Disobey Buhari’s Directive On Ballot Box Snatching Unfortunate – Army

Asking us to disobey Buhari’s directive on ballot box snatching unfortunate ― Buratai

.Says ex-VP’s statement not expected from somebody who wants to be president

.Asks PDP presidential candidate to withdraw statement, apologise

.Tasks Army personnel to fully obey president’s order

By Joseph Erunke

THE
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, Wednesday, picked hole
in Tuesday’s statement attributed to the presidential candidate of
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar, asking the Nigerian Army to disregard President Muhammadu
Buhari’s directive they they deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers
in the coming general elections.

Buratai, who said Atiku’s
statement was most unfortunate given that he was in the highest level of
government in the country before and knows fully that the Nigerian Army
in particular and the military, in general, are meant to obey the
orders of the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces to the
latter, said they will treat Buhari’s latest order with exception.

To
this end, he asked the former Vice President not only to withdraw the
statement but to also apologise for attempting to invite the army
against what he termed as “constituted authority” it was meant to fully
obey.

Speaking at a meeting he held with the Principal Staff
Officers, General Officers Commanding and Brigade Commanders ahead of
the polls billed to commence this Saturday, Buratai warned politicians
and their supporters against testing the will of the army, insisting
that those found to have violated the law, will be treated in line with
President Buhari’s directive.

Although he did not categorically
mention the former Vice President’s name, his description of his target
pointed to the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate.

The
army chief disclosed that personnel attached to retired Army Generals,
especially those who have become politicians will be withdrawn just as
he said no political actors will be allowed army escort. He warned
officers against playing partisan roles, saying those with such feelings
had up to Friday, February 22 to resign.

Source:- Vanguardngr