A former Minister of State for Defense, Senator Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro has described as unconstitutional, an abberation and unbecoming, the visit of the Commander, 9 brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier -General Isangubong Akpaumontia, to the popular Balogun market in Lagos after a fire inferno in some parts of the market recently.
In a statement released in Lagos, Obanikoro asked, ‘in what capacity the Brigadier- General paid the visit, especially coming after the inspection of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu who did not only inspect the extent of damages but promised to work together with the traders to prevent future occurrence?.’
The statement reads in part…’Nigeria is clearly under civilian administration and so is Lagos State. We are clearly guided by rules and as such, the military and its personnel, no matter how highly-placed, cannot and should not be usurping the responsibilities of an elected Governor. How then can one describe the supposed ‘incursion’ of Brigadier-General Akpaumontia of the 9 brigade? Is he a politician in army uniform? Under whose authority did he visit the market and to do what? Is he the Commisioner of Police in the State? These are questions I believe higher authorities should ask the Brigadier-General and failure to give right answers should be met with appropriate sanctions’.
This development is coming as Nigerians continue to hear of calls by some undemocratic and unpatriotic elements for the take-over of the military even as the Department of State Service is issuing warnings to those seeking an interim government.
