Former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has voiced his opinion on the recent calls for a military coup in Nigeria.
Al-Mustapha expressed that endorsing a military intervention in the country’s political landscape is now deemed inappropriate, emphasizing that democracy has firmly taken root in Nigeria.
During a talk in Abuja on Wednesday, he urged proponents of a coup to redirect their efforts towards sustaining the alignment of the military with democratic norms.
He highlighted the global shift away from military governance, noting that such regimes are no longer favored internationally.
The retired Nigerian Army Major, who also served as an intelligence officer and is currently involved in politics, revealed his opposition to Nigeria’s current parliamentary and presidential systems. He deemed them incompatible with the nation’s historical context.
Al-Mustapha declared his commitment to democratic principles, emphasizing his rejection of any move against democracy, and urged those advocating for a coup to abandon such ideas and focus instead on strengthening the democratic process in the country.
“As of now, I identify as a politician, viewing the country through a democratic lens. Our efforts are concentrated on nurturing and advancing democratic ideals in Nigeria,” he stated.
Addressing the prevalent presidential system in Nigeria, he mentioned, “Military alignment with democracy is the prevailing global trend. However, our current presidential system, in the context of our nation, appears unconventional.”