Coup: Decline pressure to overthrow govt, Alake charges Nigerian Army

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA – Following the recent military takeover in some African countries, the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo has appealed to the Nigerian military to decline pressure from any quarter or individual to take over power in the country.

The royal father made the appeal on Tuesday at his palace while fielding questions from journalists at a press conference to commemorate his 80th birthday anniversary.

The ex-military officer maintained that the military has no business running government.

Alake also said that the mistakes of Nigerian political leaders would not stop the country from attaining its greatness and that Nigerians should not be demoralized by the mistakes of the leaders.

The monarch highlighted that the military has a constitutional role and that governance is not one of them during a one-on-one.

“The military has a constitutional role to play and I will appeal to them to keep it because governance is not part of their role.

“If politicians are making mistakes, let them continue to correct themselves and be better people.

While appreciating the new government for its efforts in the security of the country appealed to the members of the public to collaborate with the security agencies.

“Security is a major government business and the new government is working hard on securing the lives and properties of the people. So we must report any suspicious, strange occurrence or anything that can turn out to bring danger.

“No one will bring money to an insecure country so let us all make it our business to work with the security agencies to make our country a better place”.

Meanwhile, the monarch also urged parents and guardians in the state to warn their children to steer clear of cultism, which is causing turmoil in the state.

He said he has zero tolerance for corrupt practices and unbalanced judgement, making him difficult to satisfy.

Alake who stated that despite being an octogenarian, he would continue to work tirelessly for the good of the Egba people, boasting that there are no better people in Nigeria than the Egba people.

He said “The question I always ask myself is what will the Egbas get out of the years I have spent on the earth as the Alake. In history, you have no better people in this country than the Egbas. I am not being immodest. What I hope the Egba will get under me is something they have never gotten before. I am a very difficult person to please, so I do not get easily satisfied. I will continue to work to make sure that Egba retains its status as the first in the country.”