A former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida has warned that any attempt to politicise the military would not be in the interest of the nation.
IBB was reacting to the ongoing controversy surrounding the academic qualification of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is a very dangerous thing to do”, he told The Nation in an interview in Minna.
The ex military president argued that there was no way Buhari would have been promoted to the rank of a general in the army without possessing the basic educational qualification.
He expressed disappointment at the controversy generated by the issue and advised those who feel aggrieved to go to court.
He warned that the military should not be ridiculed as it remains,in his opinion, the only institution of national unity and that it is passionate about acquisition of knowledge by its officers.
His words: “The military is one of the institution that believes in constant learning and training. You receive the initial training from the Staff College. After one year, you go for another round of intensive training that is all encompassing.
“It is one institution that is concerned about knowledge, even in warfare. The military requires you to keep abreast of development in warfare, weaponry and education.
“Perhaps, military is the best institution that is concerned about training and knowledge and about discipline because no officer is considered for promotion without having the prerequisite qualification and must pass the required examinations”.
“The military remains the institution of unity. I will not support the idea of politicising the military,” he said.
The former military leader was, however, full of confidence that the military would strive to keep above the scheming of the politicians “as it is capable and will resist any undue attempt to influence it.
“This is nothing but politics. I think those aggrieved should know what to do. Anybody who feels aggrieved should go to court and let the court make a pronouncement that will settle everything”, he added.
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