Mr Ebun Adegboruwa,
criticised General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) to drop his military title of Major
General after May 29 swearing in date, arguing that it is illegal and immoral.
In a statement the Lagos-based
lawyer and rights activist Adegboruwa contended that it will be unlawful for
him to take such decision now, having enjoyed all benefits attached to that
title as a former military officer and head of state.
According to Adegboruwa by
virtue of Paragraph 1(1) of the 1st Schedule of the Armed Forces Pensions Act Major-General
Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) is entitled to, and has indeed been receiving and
benefiting from pension, as an officer who held a regular commission, before
his retirement.
“Major-General Muhammadu
Buhari (retd) is the official and legal status, title, designation and
appellation of our President-elect. He has no choice in the matter, but to
continue to carry this cross for life.
“The military world over is
a dignified institution, built on discipline, selflessness, courage, dignity,
loyalty and patriotism.
It is an institution that
everyone should be proud of, except those of them who were trained and equipped
by this noble institution, but chose to capture civilian power, through coup
d’etat.
“Buhari attends the Council
of State meetings as former Head of State, which office he held in his capacity
as a Major-General, which officially qualifies him to earn some benefits, have
security aides, salaries, emoluments, diplomatic passports as well as free
medical treatment, home and abroad.
“From all the foregoing, I
therefore humbly appeal to the President-elect to continue to bear his official
name and status, by which he once climbed to power. I do sincerely sympathise
with him on the very sad and distasteful memories that this title attracts to
him. But it is his cross to carry.
“Nigerians voted for him in
spite of his past and that should be enough encouragement for him to strive to
erase any negative impression that it may have occasioned.”
Another Lagos lawyer and
activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), disagreed with Mr. Adegboruwa, saying
“Buhari’s decision is normal. General Obasanjo did the same thing. He was
referred to as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
“There is nothing wrong in
that. In the real sense of it, he remains a General. However, when you become
an elected President, you cannot continue to be addressed as a General in a
democracy. We cannot have a General in a democracy.
“Even his (Buhari) ADC,
under the constitution, shall be a police officer not below the rank of an
Assistant Superintendent of Police. Section 419 of the Police Act states this.
“The parade of the military
as ADC by Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan is not part of our constitution.”
Tittle not relevant, Nigeria has so many problem at hand
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