By Kolawole Ojebisi
A Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) Atiku Abubakar has expressed outrage over what he called a military style guard of honour with which Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, was recently welcomed to a venue of a venue of an event.
Describing the incident as a gross violation of military or traditional protocols, Atiku criticized the display, which he said undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
Atiku said this in a statement issued on Sunday, signed by his media adviser Paul Ibe, following a video circulating online that showed the President’s son receiving military honours from a group of young men in military style regalia.
He described the act as an “aberration” and demanded accountability. Atiku specifically took issue with the group behind the display, the so-called “Nigeria Cadet Network,” which he alleged is not a recognized body within the Nigerian military.
“It is with utter dismay and concern that Nigerians were subjected to a nauseating video where a group of young men, armed and in semblance of military procession, bestowed upon the President’s son unwarranted military honours,” the statement read.
Atiku noted that the use of the title “Cadet,” typically associated with young, formally trained military personnel, by an unregistered civilian group amounted to an exploitation of the military’s esteemed traditions.
The former Vice President also raised concern on some other issues. “In an effort to uncover the truth behind this shameless procession, we instructed our legal team and military experts to investigate the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network.’
To no one’s surprise, it was revealed that the group is not a legally registered entity,” Atiku stated.
“What is even more alarming is the brazen use of firearms by civilians in this so-called parade, at a time when illegal arms proliferation is at a dangerous high in our country.”
Atiku has called on Nigerian security agencies to urgently investigate the following: The legitimacy of the “Nigeria Cadet Network” and its use of the military style title Cadet, the source and legality of the firearms displayed by members of the group, and the appropriateness of granting military honours to Seyi Tinubu by non-commissioned civilians under security protection.
“If it is determined that any legal violations were committed by the President’s son or members of the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network,’ it is the constitutional duty of Nigerian security agencies to ensure that the law takes its course and those responsible are held accountable,” Atiku asserted.
The viral video, which emerged recently, has generated widespread debate and criticism on social media, with many questioning the implications of the parade for Nigeria’s military discipline.
