By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has said the country’s armed forces have remained committed to their constitutional role and continue to operate under civilian authority, stressing that the military performs best within a democratic system.
Speaking in remarks linked to Armed Forces Remembrance, Musa said the Nigerian military has consciously subjected itself to civilian control, in line with democratic norms, adding that the country is better governed under an elected government.
“The Nigerian military has stood up to its responsibility by subjecting itself to civilian authority,” the defence minister said. “The military thrives better in a democracy, and Nigeria is always better with a democratic government in place.”
He warned against any romanticising of military takeovers, noting that the remembrance of fallen soldiers should serve as a reminder that coups are wrong and should not be contemplated.
Armed Forces Remembrance, observed annually in Nigeria, honours personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, including those who fought in the country’s civil war and other internal and external operations.
Musa’s comments come amid renewed debate in parts of Africa over military interventions in politics, following a wave of coups in the Sahel region in recent years.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has not experienced a military takeover since the return to civilian rule in 1999. The defence minister said maintaining that record requires a shared commitment by both the military and the wider society to uphold democratic values and constitutional order.
He added that the armed forces remain focused on their primary duty of defending the nation and supporting civil authorities, while respecting the supremacy of elected leadership.
