The Olowu of Kuta in Ayedire Local Government area of Osun state, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama has said that Nigerians owe a lot of appreciation to Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai for his professionalism in the face of temptation.
Oba Makama said this in a statement made on Saturday over the recent spate of violence that greeted the #ENDSAR across the country.
The Monarch said the fact that Chief of Army Staff continued to remain faithful and committed to the tenets of democratic rule in the face of temptation.
“Many may disagree but I believe Nigerians owe a lot of appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who in the face of temptation has continued to remain faithful and committed to the tenets of democratic rule,” he said.
“In some other African countries, the aftermath of ENDSARS protests was enough for the military to take over the nation, but Buratai, has continued to show loyalty and professionalism in the course of discharging his constitutional duties” the monarch stated.
Oba Makama noted that the hijackers of the ENDSARS protests had wished to see a hijack of power by the military in Nigeria.
“What those who hijacked the End SARS wanted was what happened in Mali, Sudan and Egypt to happen in Nigeria, but carefully, the military leadership did not compromise their loyalty to the democratic institution.
“I am not surprised at denigration of the military that has been from within and outside the country, what the undemocratic people wanted was to hear martial music but fortunately for us and unfortunately for them, they didn’t hear it,” he stated.
The monarch noted that that Buratai has publicly declared that there is no alternative to democratic government.
“Even while the military leadership was being threatened with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and visa ban, Buratai told his men to forget about the ICC and visa ban and that they should engage any subversive element squarely.
“Under the leadership of Buratai, the military, as a responsible and law-abiding organisation, has continued to reaffirm its unalloyed loyalty and commitment to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Constitution of the Country,” Oba Makama said.
The Olowu of Kuta supported a peaceful protest because it is an integral part of democracy and “that was why the Federal Government treated the protesters in a much-civilised manner”.
He said the aftermaths of the protests was a testament that some elements were out to destabilise and topple the administration of President Buhari.
“The ‘so-called protest’ had achieved a result that almost every Nigerian is happy about. The protesters made five demands, and President Buhari, in his magnanimity, granted the five demands without any hesitation” he said.
