I didn’t call for military coup – Ekweremadu

Deputy President of the Senate. Ike Ekweremadu has faulted some reports and statements insinuating that he called for a military intervention in the country. His Special Adviser (Media), Uche Anichukwu, quoted Ekweremadu as making the clarification in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state when Governor Seriake Dickson hosted him and other African lawmakers attending the 74th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Africa Region) Executive Committee to a dinner.

He maintained that his comments on the floor of the Senate, though “unambiguously in defence of democracy”, were either being twisted or misconstrued by some persons. According to him, parliamentarians had a duty to continue to defend democracy in the country, hence he clearly cautioned fellow politicians against the mistakes of the past, which inevitably led to the abrupt end of the previous republics.

Providing some background to his controversial comment, Ekweremadu said: “We had one of our colleagues from Kogi, who was hosting a constituency briefing and empowerment. He alleged that the state government sponsored thugs to chase away people, disrupt the programme, and destroy the equipment he bought for his people.

“We warned that it was such reckless abuse of power and impunity that scuttled our previous republics, especially the first republic and I cautioned politicians not take our democracy for granted. “Of course, some people took it out of context and said I was calling for a military coup. I never called for a military coup. I never said the military was planning any coup.

Even the military’s statement admitted that my statement was only cautionary and that we were sincere. But they went as far as saying that the international community should ignore my words of caution.” He added: “I hold the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces in high regard. They have defended our democracy, our people and have acquitted themselves creditably.

If they need anything now, it is encouragement because this is not the best of times for them.”

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