Reps warn military against coup, say it’s no longer fashionable

The House of Representatives on Monday warned the military to steer clear of partisan politics and against planning a coup to oust a democratically elected from power, insisting that the worst democratic administration is far better than the best military administarion.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yussuff Lasun, gave the warning while speaking at a one-day public hearing organized by the the House Committee on Electoral and Political Parties Matters to consider 12 proposed amendments to the Electoral Act (amended) 2010.

The public hearing took place at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Lasun, who specifically addressed the military officers and other security personnel present at the hearing, stated that a military coup was no longer fashionable in Nigeria and advised that democracy should be allowed to flounder and thrive in the country.

He said, will “What we’ve heard in the last two weeks about the military about a coup has been scary. Although, it might sound trivial but the truth is that the worst civilian administration is far better than the best military administration.

“But I thank God that today, I can see a general among us today,” looking in the direction of Brigadier General Sadiq Ndalolo, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai at the public hearing.

Speaking further, the deputy speaker disclosed that the House is considering amending the constitution to allow for independent candidacy in future elections.

Commenting on lengthy legal battles that trail the outcome of majority of elections in the country, he said that it is important to get electoral issues sorted out to reduce lengthy legal actions after the declaration of election results by the electoral umpire.

“Conducting credible, free and fair elections is crucial to the stability of democracy because without elections there can’t be democracy,” he added.

Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara while declaring open the public hearing said that the essence of the hearing is to ensure the sustainability and stability of democratic governance in the country.

He said that it is important for elections to be inclusive, periodic and definitive before such a system of government can be referred to as democratic.

“The amendment bills are a consequence of past experiences. A flaw in the electoral process is a threat to democracy. And it’s important for us to remove all limitations on existing legislations a sit concerns our elections,” he maintained.