Dont Allow Selfish Politicians To Manipulate You, Sultan Tells Military

Ostensibly aware of the likely antics of desperate politicians in using the military to achieve their goals, the Sultan of Sokoto and president-general, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, yesterday in Sokoto advised the military not to be lured into politics.

The Sultan, who emphasized the essence of mutual understanding and tolerance as an inevitable tool of sustainable peace, equally warned that Nigerians must not allow politicians to create divisions among them just for their selfish aims.

Speaking yesterday during the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Alumni of the 18th Regular Course re-union held at the Sultan Maccido Institute of Quran and General Studies, Sokoto, the Sultan further stressed the essence of alumni as one of the surest ways of reuniting people.

He maintained that military personnel should remain apolitical to avoid being used by selfish politicians for set targets: The more we respect and tolerate one another as Nigerians, the better for the unity of the country. We should allow politicians to continue to divide us.

While recalling their unity then, Sultan said the alumni has once again re-united them, thereby fostering their spirit of brotherhood as retired officers.

The traditional cum religious leader further admonished the NDA Alumni to, as a matter of urgency, raise funds for the service for national development purpose.

Speaking earlier, Lt. Gen. Ihejirika (rtd) advised the National Assembly to hasten the approval of the $1 billion loan requested by the president for adequate support to the military to enable them battle the insurgents.

According to him, the said money would be used to upgrade military equipment which will in turn lead to a more secured country. Nigerias unity, he added, is non-negotiable.