By Victor Adeoti
#TrackNigeria: Oba Adekunle Oyelude, the Olowu of Kuta in Osun, on Thursday urged politicians to leave the Armed Forces out of politics, to ensure sound nation-building.
Oyelude, who is the Chairman of Council of Owu Obas, made the remark at a news conference in his palace in Kuta, Iwo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
He said since the return of the country to civil rule in 1999, opposition parties had always accused incumbent government of using the military to suppress them before, during and after general election.
“There is no doubt that this development is unhealthy for our nascent democracy and nation-building.
“It is noteworthy that it creates unnecessary tension in the polity, just as it also reduces the military to a dispensable tool in the hands of the political class.
“ On the strength of this, I am appealing to our political parties that as we go into the general election, leave the armed forces out in the build-up to the election.
“The armed forces are not only the symbol of national unity and cohesion, but also defenders of nation’s integrity,” the traditional ruler said.
The oba, however, called on all Nigerians to continue to pray for the military and shun comments that could kill their morale in the fight against the insurgency.
Besides, the Royal Father urged Nigerians to shun fake news emanating from those he described as faceless Civil Society Organisations, whose interest is not in alignment with that of the Nigerian masses.
“Our priority as Nigerians should be how our dear nation will rise and assume its natural position in the comity of nations, regionally and globally,” he said.
Oyelude appealed to politicians not to see the forthcoming election as a do-or-die affair.
“We need to ensure that we record another hitch-free election, as we witnessed in 2015.
“We should also appreciate the opportunity which democracy offers us, which is our return to the poll every four years.
“We have to realise that Nigeria belongs to all of us; Nigeria is older than most of us, and Nigeria will still outlive us.
“The best we should individually and collectively do is to contribute our quota in leaving Nigeria better than we met it, Oyelude said. (NAN)
