Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu has denied the trending report that he called for military coup in Nigeria, just as the labour has warned it would resist military in politics.
“I never called for a military coup. I never said the military was planning any coup. Even the military’s statement admitted that my statement was only cautionary and that we were sincere.
“But they went as far as saying that the international community should ignore my words of caution.”
According to the Punch, Ekweremadu said in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Sunday that comments on the floor of the Senate, though “unambiguously in defence of democracy”.
The comments, he said, were either being twisted or misconstrued by some persons.
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He was a guest of Governor Seriake Dickson when he and other African lawmakers attending the 74th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Africa Region) Executive Committee were invited for a dinner.
The denial was reported by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Uche Anichukwu.
Ekweremadu said he has respect for the Nigerian Armed Forces, and that comments made by lawmakers in the course of their duty should be situated within the proper context before any form of reaction.
“Of course, some people took it out of context and said I was calling for a military coup.
“I hold the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces in high regard. They have defended our democracy, our people and have acquitted themselves creditably.
“If they need anything now, it is encouragement because this is not the best of times for them.
“But we do hope that when parliamentarians make statements, they (the military) should be able to know exactly what they said before reacting so that we don’t overheat the system.”
Meanwhile, the organized labour has warned that irrespective of several challenges facing the country, it would resist any illegal and undemocratic takeover of government in Nigeria.
