Wike Slams Buratai Over Allegations Of Planned Coup Against Buhari

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has slammed the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai over allegation of plans by some politicians and soldiers to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari.

Recall that Buratai had alleged that some people were approaching soldiers for political reasons, warning that soldiers who heed such advances will face dire consequences.

A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman had stated, “This is to inform the public that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T. Y. Buratai, has received information that some individuals have been approaching some officers and soldiers for undisclosed political reasons. On the basis of that, he has warned such persons to desist from these acts.”

However, in a statement he made during the flag off of the construction of Old Aba Road by Mbano junction in Oyigbo Local Government Area Wednesday, Wike advised the Army High Command to desist from posting soldiers to politicians, saying it is counter-productive and a threat to national security.

Wike, who said all over the world, only the commander-in-chief is eligible to having soldiers guard him, added that Buratai should go beyond complaining that politicians are hobnobbing with soldiers and take action to check the disturbing trend.

He said, “Who are those approving battalions of soldiers to politicians? If they don’t want soldiers to follow politicians, they should stop giving soldiers to politicians.

“It is only in Nigeria that soldiers accompany politicians. They should stop soldiers from being security details to politicians. Somebody comes home and they will give him a battalion of soldiers and they say soldiers should not hobnob with politicians.

“All over the world, it is only the commander-in-chief that is allowed to use soldiers. But here, you see soldiers following politicians everywhere.”