NBA cautions against military incursion

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mallam Mahmoud Abubakar (SAN), has condemned alleged moves by some disgruntled politicians to influence the military to scuttle the present democratic dispensation in the country.

Mahmoud who spoke in Lokoja, Kogi State during the NBA’s National Executive Council meeting, called on the military not to allow the political class cajole it into taking any action that would jeopardise the nation’s democracy.

“Our country needs to assume its proper leadership in Africa and indeed amongst the comity of nations globally. The journey to democracy is often long and tedious. I urge however that we do not become complacent. We must continue to be vigilant in the defence of our democracy and democratic institutions,” he said.

On the agitation for secession by some sections of the country, he said Nigerians would fare better together than in smaller enclaves and reaffirmed the commitment of the bar to national unity.

Mahmud urged both federal and state governments to address in concerted and responsible manner, conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in many states as well as sectarian conflicts in Southern Kaduna which he said, was far from being over.

He commended the military for their role in tackling the insecurity in the North-east region and urged them to remain focused in their constitutional duties of protecting sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the nation.

He expressed concern over the state of the Abuja-Lokoja highway despite the billions of naira already sunk into the project by the federal government.

The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajanah, said there had been harmonious relationship between the bar and bench in the state to enhance proper administration of law and order.