Army should play lesser role in politics – Amaechi …Calls for military aid against kidnapping in Rivers As the 2015 general elections draw near, Rivers state Governor and Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum, Chibuike Amaechi has advised on the need for the military to play a lesser role in political activities to allow the civilian populace exercise their franchise in an atmosphere devoid of rancour and acrimony as well as undue influence. Amaechi spoke when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah led a delegation of top ranking Army Officers on a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Port Harcourt, Friday. Amaechi said, “The military need to play lesser role in politics. I have said that severally. I am sure you will ensure that the relationship between the military, civilians and politicians is cordial, such that the 2015 elections would not be controversial.” He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for its role in the fight against militancy and criminality in Rivers State while appealing to the Army to leverage on its strong security networks to help stamp out kidnapping in the state as further perpetration could crumble the fast growing economy of the state. “We have a peaceful co-existence in Rivers State with the military. And we cannot claim to have fought militancy if not for the support of the 2Brigade, Bori Camp. There was a period it was so bad, they had to get more soldiers from outside to join the soldiers here in Rivers State. After that you could freely drive around peacefully until recently. “The situation in Rivers State is gradually going back to what it used to be in 2006, 2007, and 2008. It is not the cause of the Brigade Commander or the Army. The problem is that, politicians are back and they have brought back the boys. They say, they are freedom fighters. Now what are they fighting for? I have argued that the reason for which the militancy was set up was to get the Presidency to the South-South region. We no longer hear about resource control. And if we cannot control our resources, then we need to go back to our houses and allow the government in power to govern the state. “I want the 2 Amphibious Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Bori Camp to work with us, because we need to stamp out kidnapping in Rivers state. There are competing economies in the country and the largest of all is Lagos while the second is Rivers State and if kidnapping continues, our economy will crash, unemployment will rise and we may not be able to compete with the comity of states,” Amaechi said. Congratulating the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah on his appointment, Amaechi called for improved funding and support for the Nigerian Army, giving a morale boost to the COAS and the Forces. He said, “This is the first time, Rivers State is receiving the Chief of Army Staff to the State. Let me on behalf of the people and government of Rivers State, congratulate you on your new office. I was very delighted in your appointment. The State will be glad to host you in a reception any day you decide. “The greatest thing that you and I will do for Rivers people is to leave an enviable legacy. We thought that the Nigerian Army was highly equipped as the greatest Army in Africa, but records have shown that the Army is ill-equipped, poorly funded, even though, you have the highest spirit to fight. I think you are carrying the Nigerian Army at a time when you need direction, funding, support and development. And if you achieve that, nobody will write your history for you, history will write itself,” Amaechi said. On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah commended Governor Amaechi on the landmark development initiatives of his administration since he assumed office in 2007. He expressed satisfaction with the level of infrastructural and human capital development in the state and prayed for more. Minimah said, “I am equally a citizen of Rivers State. It is like home coming to me to see good things around my people and to identify with them. I wish that the state increases further in development and achievement. I want to also identify with Governor Amaechi on his developmental programmes. Some of them are landmark while others are hi-tech. I want to thank Governor Amaechi for all his initiatives on development in Rivers State. I want to commend him essentially for the infrastructural development in the state.” He also commended Governor Amaechi for his assistance to the Army in Rivers State, particularly the provision of potable water, infrastructure and electrification projects. “I want to remark that the Rivers State Government has supported the Army in several ways, particularly at the 2Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Bori Camp. There are countless government interventionist’s projects. There are several blocks of flats that have been provided by the state. Water has been provided by the state, electrification projects too. There are other projects that were also sponsored by the state and I am sure they will go a long way in affecting the lives and well-being of soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army. And it is my honour to thank you for putting the Nigerian Army as one of your constituency,” Minimah said. The Chief of Army Staff also emphasized the commitment of the Nigerian Army to promote civil-military relationship with host communities and the State governments while calling for more corporate social welfare and infrastructural development of the Armed Forces. governor.riversstate.gov.ng/press/army-should-play-lesser-role-in-politics-amaechi/
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 11:18:59 +0000
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