On August 18, 2020, former Malian President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and his Prime Minister Boubou Cisse were detained and forced to resign by the military, bringing an abrupt end to the democratic dispensation in the West African country. On November 15, 2017, the Zimbabwean military rolled its tanks into the capital city of Harare, thereby taking over the state broadcasting company and announcing that they were in charge of the nation. The coup plotters also immediately placed the then world’s oldest president, 93-year-old Robert Mugabe, and his family under house arrest.

In April 2019, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in a military coup following widespread street protests against his 30-year rule. The case of Burkina Faso is not different; the West African country has not witnessed a peaceful transition of political power for decades since its independence, and has had 10 coups and coup attempts, the highest on the continent. In July 2019, some military officers seized power in the Central African country of Gabon, adding to the already long list of African countries whose democratic journey has been brought to a halt due to military incursion.

It is however a different scenario in Nigeria since the Fourth Republic as the Nigerian Army has repeatedly shown that it is the last bastion of One Nigeria. They have repeatedly ignored the invitations of fifth columnists and anarchists who have surreptitiously called on them to intervene by taking over power. Rather than listen to such calls, the Nigerian Army has been consistent in maintaining that it is totally committed to defending Nigeria’s democracy at all costs.

In a recent statement by Colonel Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, the Military reiterated its resolute commitment to defend the peace and stability of the nation while encouraging law-abiding Nigerians to go about their daily activities without fear. “The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to reassure law-abiding citizens that it is highly committed to the sustenance of peace, security and the defense of democracy in Nigeria.”

The Nigerian Army has, since the country’s independence in 1960, played crucial roles in the unity of the nation. On several occasions that the military was called into service, it never disappointed Nigerians. Gallant soldiers of the Nigerian Army have repeatedly put their lives on the line to ensure the sovereignty of Nigeria and protect her territory from internal and external aggression, while we all sleep every night with our two eyes closed.

On numerous occasions, the Nigerian Army has reiterated that it will not allow subversive elements, detractors, and other enemies of our great nation to achieve their aim of destabilizing the country. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, in a meeting with the top hierarchy of the Nigerian Army recently reaffirmed that it will do everything possible to keep the country together by ensuring that democracy thrives in the country. “The Nigerian Army is determined to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria. The best system of governance is democracy and we must all ensure that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable and steady. We will not allow any force, elements or destabilizing agents in or outside our country to set our beloved country on fire.” The Army Chief categorically told the GOCs and the Field Commanders that “there will be no room for disloyalty amongst officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.” He directed them to “reiterate to all their subordinates that the NA is determined to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria as the only panacea for development and progress.”

One issue that had the potential of threatening the resolve of the Nigerian Army in ensuring that democracy thrives in the country was the recent #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria. The #ENDSARS protests offered the type of chaos and pandemonium that had often precipitated violent changes of government in Nigeria and elsewhere. Rather than be lured by the prospect of seizing power as in the most recent case in Mali, gallant officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army demonstrated loyalty and commitment to the country’s democratic institutions and the will of the Nigerian people. Hear the COAS, “the events of the past few days in our dear nation have shown the determination of some unscrupulous individuals and groups to destabilize Nigeria by all means. These individuals, groups and other undesirable elements have hijacked the peaceful #ENDSARS protest marches resulting to widespread violence, acts of wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties in many parts of the country. These acts led to the imposition of curfew in several states of the federation.”

Right from the onset of the #ENDSARS protest, the Nigerian Army was aware of the grand design by the sponsors of the protests to draw it into the crisis. “The plan was to embark on massive propaganda to discredit the military and the government so as to set the people against the Nigerian Army once it is called out to aid the civil authorities. The Nigerian Army being aware of the devilish plan was careful not to be dragged in and issued the initial warning through a press release on 14th October 2020 of our resolve to secure and safeguard a United Nigeria. This is loyalty at its highest,” the COAS said.

The Nigerian Army has thus remained the Number 1 pan-Nigerian institution that continues to represent One Nigeria both in its own internal composition and in its operations across the country.But for the efforts of our gallant soldiers, the country would have been overrun by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. The experiences of Sudan, Ethiopia, and other African countries battling insurgencies are enough to remind us of the critical role of our military in nation-building and the oneness of the country. The Nigerian Army through Operation Lafiya Dole, Sahel Sanity, and Exercise Crocodile Smile, among others, has ensured that Nigeria has the measure of peace that it enjoys.

The efforts of the Army to maintain peace and the sovereignty of our country do not go unnoticed as many patriotic Nigerians have been writing to applaud the institution for their efforts. One such encomium came from a certain Moses Ghereje who took to the social media microblogging site, Twitter to applaud the military.“Good works our gallant soldiers. We continue to support you for the many sacrifices you make to ensure we enjoy relative peace and security. We hope that trust can once again be restored between our security agents and Nigerians. You soldiers merit our support” he wrote. Dr. Garba Abdullah tweeting via @garbamaza applauded the Nigerian Army for a job well done.“Good job Nigerian Army. Only good and patriotic Nigerians will appreciate your efforts and dedication. May Almighty God protects us from all forms of evil and it sympathizers,” he wrote.

Another heartwarming message to appreciate the Nigerian Army came from Alao O’Kayode who prayed for the soldiers and wished for the total annihilation of the terrorist group.“Good work gallant heroes, wishing you good speed to finish them all in no distant time. All saboteurs, sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria will be annihilated by His grace.”

We all can only join hands to pray and wish the very best for the Nigerian Army, and the military as a whole. These officers and soldiers continue to represent the very best of the values that keep us together as a nation.