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Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo - Politics - Nairaland

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Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by engineerboat(m): 8:13am On Aug 12, 2017
…I retired 93 military officers in one day …Officers given six hours notice of retirement



A FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said that his decision to suddenly retire 93 officers in a day ensured that the Nigeria Army was rid of officers capable of staging coup d’état, saying the action is responsible for the survival of the Fourth Republic.

He also said that even though the measure was not ideal, it was the only option at that time that was capable of making the military a truly professional institution. Obasanjo Obasanjo, who said this in a book he co-authored with three other people entitled: Making Africa Work, explained that he specifically retired officers, who had either participated in coups or enjoyed the benefits of coups.

His words: “A coup is a treason punishable by death only if it fails, and yet it puts the plotter in the State House if it succeeds. It was a destructive and destabilising practice, wasteful for the military itself, and undermining in terms of discipline, good order, and military conduct.

“A junior officer takes a gun and looks at his political boss and senior officers through its sights, bumps them off and puts himself in the State House. “He instantly becomes superior and senior to all political and military officers. Such was the situation existing in Nigeria between 1966 and 1999.

“On assuming office as President, I decided to put an end to these incessant coups. I asked the military to submit the list of all officers who had either participated in coups in the past or benefited in the dividends of coups by being appointed to political office as governors or ministers.

“Not knowing what the list was meant for, the military faithfully compiled it and submitted to me as the Commander-in-Chief and chairman of the council of each of the arms of service. Ninety-three officers in all were given six hours notice of retirement on a Friday and ordered not to spend the Friday night in uniform or in barracks to prevent an adverse reaction.

“The following Monday, the service council met to ratify the retirement of all the officers. From my vantage position and background as a battle-tested and war-victorious general, I knew that an officer out of uniform and barracks is like a fish out of water, and their power and influence would be greatly diminished.

“The retirement of these 93 officers all in one day was salutary. It meant that taking part in a coup and benefitting from one could catch up with you, no matter how long it would take, and for as long as you are alive. “Some of them later entered politics and became elected governors; some went into parliament; others got appointed as ministers and ambassadors.

“The idea was not to punish them for life but to exclude them from positions in the military where they could be coup planners, coup plotters, coup executors or coup beneficiaries.

“And once an officer has tasted the trappings of a political life, of living in a government house, with free food and so on, he would easily look for excuses to want more if he is in a position to make it happen.

“The fact that since 1999, there has not been a coup or an attempted coup in Nigeria speaks to the effectiveness of the measures taken to put an end to the destabilizing influence of coups on the political life and dispensation of Nigeria.

“Before 1999, and since independence, the longest that a democratic dispensation had lasted was six years –from 1960 to 1966. “It has neither been easy nor perfect, but there are improvements and evidence of learning among the political class. Any bad signs and misconduct would have to be carefully monitored.”


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/army-not-staged-coup-nigeria-obasanjo/

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Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by mkoabiola: 8:22am On Aug 12, 2017
U can't but love obj for his intelligence and crafty manner.


Waiting for fayose to criticise this statement

206 Likes 14 Shares

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by ajepako(f): 8:25am On Aug 12, 2017
Who else can do this if not retired military man himself?

To prevent your property from being stolen, who else is a better guard if not a thief?

Pay a thief to protect your property and you secure it...

Good one Baba lyabo..

107 Likes 10 Shares

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Atiku2019: 8:32am On Aug 12, 2017
So True

38 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by matrixme(m): 8:35am On Aug 12, 2017
Interesting! even Superman has more than once saved planet earth from impending attack from the aliens. We all should be thankful!

20 Likes

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by realborn(m): 8:35am On Aug 12, 2017
Summary:
The criteria for his action to retire affected officers-
1. If ever involved in a coup
2. If ever benefited from a coup.
3. If ever given political appointment where free food and perquisites were enjoyed.

Obj should have retired himself too. He was the beneficiary of the Dimka 1976 coup.

Obj is very narcissistic and self serving.

The tactics may have worked but it is inappropriate to indirectly vilify these affected officers who bore no guilt at the time they were unceremoniously retired!

55 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Jabioro: 8:44am On Aug 12, 2017
Clapping for you sir, you really got it serve hot and it went well in that circle.. crafty man wound the "cunny " man ..

14 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Bolustical: 8:45am On Aug 12, 2017
realborn:
Summary:
The criteria for his action to retire affected officers-
1. If ever involved in a coup
2. If ever benefited from a coup.
3. If ever given political appointment where free food and perquisites were enjoyed.

Obj should have retired himself too. He was the beneficiary of the Dimka 1976 coup.

[s]Obj is very narcissistic and self serving.[/s]

The tactics may have worked but it is inappropriate to indirectly vilify these affected officers who bore no guilt at the time they were unceremoniously retired!

Tell me one politician who would not take measures to protect his government,

Or if you were a newly elected president who needed to prevent another coup at all cost, you would not go the OBJ way,

Politics is amoral (Niccollo Machiavielli), there is no moraility or immorality in politics and as a leader you've got to take some critical decisions that are devoid of emotions and sentiments

That is how it works.

138 Likes 13 Shares

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Homeboiy: 8:50am On Aug 12, 2017
ok
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Max24: 9:00am On Aug 12, 2017
Hate him or like him, Obasanjo remains the most effective President Nigeria ever had. Highly intelligent. Even bubu still consults him from London.

68 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Bolustical: 9:11am On Aug 12, 2017
following
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by realborn(m): 9:18am On Aug 12, 2017
Bolustical:

Tell me one politician who would not take measures to protect his government,

Or if you were a newly elected president who needed to prevent another coup at all cost, you would not go the OBJ way,

Politics is amoral (Niccollo Machiavielli), there is no moraility or immorality in politics and as a leader you've got to take some critical decisions that are devoid of emotions and sentiments

That is how it works.

My last paragraph addresses your query.

If Abacha had killed him on the premise of a purported coup (whether true or untrue), he would have never been Nigeria's President at the advent of the 4th Republic. The motive he shared and Abacha's action would have been the same - Security Purposes.

It is wrong for Obj to self-service and revel on a decision that affected almost a 100 families having devoted several years to active Service. They bore absolutely no guilt as no evidence of wrongdoing exists. His inglorious account will only cause further unrest within the rank and file of the Military, and animosity towards the Civilian Government.

A wise decision worthy of emulation will be to cite the pertinence to retire these officers for security reasons but with adequate compensation for the remainder of their outstanding Service years. This motivates over the tale of having them turn-coat within 6 hours.

My views though!

22 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by tuniski: 9:21am On Aug 12, 2017
ajepako:
Who else can do this if not retired military man himself?

To prevent your property from being stolen, who else is a better guard if not a thief?

Pay a thief to protect your property and you secure it...

Good one Baba lyabo..
That is one legacy of OBJ that can never be discarded. He stabilized our democracy!

31 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Nobody: 10:19am On Aug 12, 2017
David Bonaventure Mark comes to Mynd44

Where is lalasticlala now sef...day has broken

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by AngelicBeing: 10:55am On Aug 12, 2017
cool
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Oshidaguy: 11:56am On Aug 12, 2017
who else could have successfully done that if not a successful coup accomplish

2 Likes

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by tribalistseun: 11:58am On Aug 12, 2017
mkoabiola:
U can't but love obj for his intelligence and crafty manner.


Waiting for fayose to criticise this statement
rubbishh, he should be in a cage by now.

8 Likes

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by lathrowinger: 1:54pm On Aug 12, 2017
This aboki above me needs to visit psychiatric... as far as Nigerian concern... Bubu remain the best president ever... unlike hypo Geja... who uses his whole life drinking sapelle ogogoro... chai Diaris God ooo

5 Likes

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by free2ryhme: 1:54pm On Aug 12, 2017
grin
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by emmasege: 1:55pm On Aug 12, 2017
Here he comes again, another self-righteous leader of Nigeria who only sees himself as the best while others are bad.

7 Likes

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Nobody: 1:56pm On Aug 12, 2017
angry grin
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by 9jayes: 1:56pm On Aug 12, 2017
Army should take over so that restructuring will be easier, there won't be power block

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by emmasege: 1:57pm On Aug 12, 2017
[quote author=9jayes post=59402503][/quote]You need not quote an empty space if you had something to say.
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by TippyTop(m): 1:58pm On Aug 12, 2017
A FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said that his decision to suddenly retire 93 officers in a day ensured that the Nigeria Army was rid of officers capable of staging coup d’état, saying the action is responsible for the survival of the Fourth Republic.


Typical boastful Obasanjo.
Am surprised Obasanjo hasn't declared he amalgamated Nigeria in 1914.

Check recent history of our neighbors and other third world countries, coup d'etats are a thing of the past. History and statistics exist that we learn from it, how many African countries have had coups since 1999?

Obasanjo continues to fight for relevance, he should emulate Babangida, Shagari, Abdulsalami and Dr Jonathan.

25 Likes

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by adextetoo(m): 1:58pm On Aug 12, 2017
Wise man
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by can89(m): 1:58pm On Aug 12, 2017
Hmmmm no be small thing.... Baba


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfvebPKCYmM
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Factfinder1(m): 2:00pm On Aug 12, 2017
This man should just keep quite
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Abfinest007(m): 2:01pm On Aug 12, 2017
OK
Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by Nobody: 2:01pm On Aug 12, 2017
Nawa ooo see people here hailing him...
for stopping a problem that was never there...

3 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Why Army Has Not Staged Coup Again In Nigeria — Obasanjo by morbeta(m): 2:01pm On Aug 12, 2017
Indirectly sending message to Osibanjo to do m same ASAP.

3 Likes 2 Shares

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