President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said any leader in the country who robes the military into the nation’s political activities is reckless.
He said men of the nation’s armed forces must be appreciated by all Nigerians and be insulated from politics.
Jonathan spoke while receiving a cheque of N1m from Mr. Dotun Oyetunde, in support of the nation’s armedforces.
The presentation was done before a meeting of the Security Council presided over by Jonathan went into a closed-door session.
Jonathan said he always feels bad whenever he hears people making insulting statements about the nation’s military.
He said nations that Nigeria build its democracy after do not behave in that manner.
The President said, “We must continue to commend men of the Nigerian armed forces. A nation must honour men of its armed forces.
“All the nations that we emulate and build our democracy after do not insult their military.
“They must be appreciated and insulated from politics. I feel bad when leaders robe military into our day to day political activities. That is reckless.
“These men stay in the rain while we are under roofs. They stay awake for us to sleep well.”
Jonathan acknowledged the supports the military is currently receiving from Nigerians.
He specifically commended youth groups that have been demonstrating in support of the troops.
He urged other Nigerians to borrow a leaf from those who have been donating in cash and kind to the troops.
He said such assistance could be channeled through the Chief of Defence Staff, National Security Adviser on the Minister of Defence.
The donor said he and his wife were moved by the plight of troops in the hands of members of the Boko Haram sect.
He said he was surprised that everybody seemed to be criticising the military and are seeing Boko Haram as political as if the insurgents ask for their victims’ political affiliations before attacking them.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, while introducing the donor, told the President that the military had received various donations such as drugs, bags of rice and cartons of instant noodles among others.
He said when he received Oyetunde’s message, he discussed with the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who suggested that the donor should be brought to personally present the cheque to the President during the meeting.
Source: Punch
