Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized the recent military-style parade held in honour of Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described it as a flagrant violation of Nigeria’s revered military traditions. Atiku also demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident, which he considered a gross breach of military protocol.
In a statement released on Sunday by his media office and signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed deep concern over the event, which was widely shared in a viral video showing armed individuals in military attire performing a formal procession for the President’s son.
Atiku raised questions regarding the legitimacy of the group involved in the parade, which identified itself as the “Nigeria Cadet Network.” According to investigations conducted by his legal team and military experts, the group is not a recognized entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“It is deeply troubling that a civilian group, operating under the title of ‘Cadet,’ a term historically associated with formally trained military personnel, has sought to undermine the integrity of our Armed Forces. Furthermore, the unauthorized display of firearms by civilians is an alarming development, particularly at a time when illegal weapons proliferation is a significant security concern,” Atiku stated.
The former Vice President also condemned the involvement of security personnel in the event, questioned the propriety of affording military honours to a civilian with no formal military designation.
Atiku further seek for an immediate investigation by the relevant security agencies into the following issues:
1. The legitimacy of the “Nigeria Cadet Network” and its use of the title “Cadet” when it is not a registered entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
2. The origin and legality of the firearms displayed during the parade.
3. The role of security personnel in facilitating the event.
“The integrity of our military traditions must be upheld. If it is determined that there were any legal violations, it is the constitutional duty of the security agencies to ensure accountability and bring those responsible to justice,” Atiku said.
The incident has sparked widespread debate across the country, with many questioning the appropriateness of the event and its potential impact on the apolitical stance of the Nigerian military.
