We’II resist any coup attempt, Tinubu vows

.As Reps warns military, says coup no longer fashionable

National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, called on the Military to perish any attempt to stage a coup against the democratic process, vowing that such attempt would be vehemently resisted.

Also, 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 administration.

Recall that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, recently revealed that some military officers were hobnobbing with politicians ostensibly to overthrow the present democratically elected government.

Speaking at a Special Parliamentary Session organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly to mark the Lagos@50 celebrations and the second anniversary of the 8th Assembly, Tinubu advised those behind the attempt to truncate the democratic process, which Nigerians fought hard for, to perish such idea in their best interest.

“But amidst the celebration, I will like to sound a caution to us all- the precious thing we have– democracy that we are now trying to perfect is not guaranteed to us. We must sweat hard, yet think wisely if we are to keep it. There will always be some people who want to undermine democracy. These people gain more from the government in the dark.

“Just a few days ago, we had a warning that some people were trying to entice the military out of the barracks. I say don’t try it. I want to add my voice to that warning. Those who think they can break the democracy so many of us laboured for, which too many people died, sacrificed their lives, they are sure mistaken.

“Nigeria has come too far for such a thing to happen. Those people behind such idea will find no fertile ground to plant their seed in Lagos. We will not buy their bad product; whatever they want to sell is a bad product and we are going to reject it. We tell them, move away from here because Lagos State will resist it. Lagos State is saying move away from it, don’t think about it, we are all staying together to grow our democracy,” Tinubu said.

Speaking on the Lagos@50 celebrations, Tinubu said going by achievements recorded in the last five decades, there was so much reason to celebrate, but that in the midst of the celebration, it was important to place emphasis on the need to create more opportunities for the people.

“We also have realised that we need to do more in order to create more opportunities, better education, improved housing and more jobs for many of our people so that all can witness the full blossom of growth and prosperity,” he said.

Also speaking, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode said since creation, the state had been a shining example and critical hub of socio-economic and political development, saying that the harmonious relationship between the three arms of government in Nigeria, which is reflective in the governance model of Lagos, promoted the interest and welfare of the people.

Meanwhile, 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 administration.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yussuff Lasun, gave the warning while speaking at a one-day public hearing organised by 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: “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”.