Ekweremadu: I never called for military coup

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, says at no point in time did he call for military intervention.

On Wednesday, the lawmaker had said the country’s democracy “is receding” and it is not unlikely for the military to take over.

He said this while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Ahmed Ogembe, senator representing Kogi central.

Ogembe had alleged that Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, sponsored thugs to disrupt an empowerment programme he organised for his constituents.

The deputy senate president said such incident shows that efforts must be made to protect the country’s democracy.

But speaking when he visited Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state, during the weekend, Ekweremadu said the comments he made on the floor of the senate were in defence of democracy.

“I never called for a military coup. I never said the military was planning any coup. Even the military’s statement admitted that my statement was only cautionary and that we were sincere,” he said.

“But they went as far as saying that the international community should ignore my words of caution.”

The comments, he said, were either being twisted or misconstrued.

Ekweremadu said he has respect for the Nigerian armed forces, and that comments made by lawmakers in the course of their duty should be situated within the proper context before any form of reaction.

“Of course, some people took it out of context and said I was calling for a military coup,” he said.

“I hold the Nigerian army and the armed forces in high regard. They have defended our democracy, our people and have acquitted themselves creditably.

“If they need anything now, it is encouragement because this is not the best of times for them. But we do hope that when parliamentarians make statements, they (the military) should be able to know exactly what they said before reacting so that we don’t overheat the system.”