Atiku slams full military honours accorded President’s son, calls for probe

Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria and prominent opposition leader, has condemned the recent military parade that included Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, Atiku labeled the event a serious violation of military tradition and called for a thorough investigation.

Atiku expressed outrage over the incident, describing it as an “aberration” for any branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces to hold a formal parade for a non-designated public figure.

The statement, signed by his media adviser Paul Ibe, referred to a disturbing video circulating online showing a group of young men, armed and in full military procession, honoring the President’s son with military-style accolades.

“It is with utter dismay and concern that Nigerians were subjected to a nauseating video circulating online, where a group of young men, armed and in full military procession, bestowed upon the President’s son unwarranted military honours,” the statement read.

Atiku also raised concerns over the legitimacy of the group involved in the parade, identified as the “Nigeria Cadet Network,” which he stated is not a recognized entity within the Nigerian military.

He criticized the misuse of the term “Cadet,” which is typically associated with formally trained military personnel, by civilians.

“In an effort to uncover the truth behind this shameless procession, we instructed our legal team and military experts to investigate the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network.’ To no one’s surprise, it was revealed that the group is not a legally registered entity,” Atiku noted.

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He further expressed alarm over the use of firearms by civilians in the parade, particularly amid rising concerns over illegal arms proliferation in the country.

Atiku has called on relevant security agencies to urgently investigate three critical issues:

1. The legitimacy of the “Nigeria Cadet Network” and its use of the “Cadet” title despite not being a registered entity.
2. The origin and legality of the firearms displayed by the members of the “Nigeria Cadet Network.”
3. The appropriateness of military honors being granted to the President’s son by civilians, with apparent protection from security personnel.

In his statement, Atiku emphasized the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces. “If it is determined that any legal violations were committed by the President’s son or members of the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network,’ it is the constitutional duty of Nigerian security agencies to ensure that the law takes its course and those responsible are held accountable,” he concluded.