- He stated that soldiers capitalise on citizens’ discontent, social upheaval and treacherous political climate to topple civilian government
Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military head of state, says military coups will not happen if politicians don’t encourage it through their unsettling actions and inactions.
He stated that soldiers capitalise on citizens’ discontent, social upheaval and treacherous political climate to topple civilian government.
Abdulsalami was sworn in as head of state after brutal dictator, Sani Abacha, died in June 1998.
He ushered in the fourth republic after he relinquished power to democratically elected Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, keeping to his word of returning the country to civilian rule.
In an interview with The Sun newspaper published on Sunday, the former head of state said politicians create a conducive milieu for military officers to stage coups
He noted that military officers take advantage of the political situation before staging coups adding that socio-political deprivations like equity and justice could upset the applecart and destabilise the country.
“You see, whatever happens, it must be the political field that allows any military man to take over. When you are in government and there is no equity and justice, certainly this brings problem,” he said.
“You have a political party and even in the political party one belongs to, there is no democracy. So, certainly, you will expect some quivers, some quarrels to come out and if they are not handled amicably, certainly, this will result to military takeover.
“Remember there is no military man that takes over without the connivance and assistance of politicians and civilians.”