[allAfrica.com]  [Africa_2003]


Military Won't Overthrow Obasanjo, Army Chief Assures

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
September 8, 2003
Posted to the web September 8, 2003

By Emma Amaize
Benin City
CHIEF of Army Staff, Lt Gen Martin Agwai, says the military will do nothing to
destabilise democracy in the country. Speaking, weekend, in Benin City, when he
paid a courtesy call on the Edo State Deputy Governor, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe,
the army chief stated that the military has always enjoyed better welfare under
the civilian administration than during military regimes.
He said that the military knows its roles as spelt out in the constitution and
would abide by them. The Deputy Governor in his response commended the Nigerian
Army for its contribution to the development of democracy in the country,
saying that since 1999 when the present administration came on board, it has
demonstrated its bent towards professionalism.
He gave the army kudos for its actions so far in the restoration of peace to
the Niger Delta, adding that its leading role in Liberia was a source of joy to
Nigerians.
Chief Oghiadomhe expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship existing
between the military and civilians. Lt Gen Agwai, who had departed Edo State
for Ibadan, was in Benin City as part of his nationwide tour of army formations
in the country.
While in Edo State, he visited the men and officers of the 4th Mechanised
Brigade, the military hospital and Army School of Supply and Transport, all in
Benin City, where he addressed the soldiers on their duties under a democratic
government amongst other things.

   

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