Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned the military parade recently held in honor of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku described the incident as a blatant violation of military protocols and called for an urgent investigation into the matter.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Media Aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed concern over the video circulating online, which showed an armed group in a formal military procession conferring honors upon Seyi Tinubu. He referred to the event as an “aberration” and criticized the involvement of a group known as the “Nigeria Cadet Network,” which he claimed has no official standing within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“It is with great dismay that Nigerians witnessed a nauseating video of armed individuals in full military procession, bestowing unwarranted military honors on the President’s son. Such actions undermine the sanctity of our military traditions,” Atiku stated.
He questioned the legitimacy of the “Nigeria Cadet Network,” alleging that investigations conducted by his legal and military experts revealed that the group is not a registered entity. Atiku also raised alarms over the use of firearms by civilians in the parade, describing it as a dangerous precedent in a country grappling with widespread illegal arms proliferation.
“The use of the term ‘Cadet’ by this group is a gross misuse of military terminology. These civilians exploited a respected title to stage a shameless spectacle that tarnishes the integrity of the Armed Forces,” Atiku added.
Calling for a full-scale investigation, the former Vice President urged security agencies to address critical concerns, including:
1. The authenticity and legality of the “Nigeria Cadet Network.”
2. The origin and legitimacy of the firearms displayed during the parade.
3. The appropriateness of granting military honors to a non-designated public figure by an unregistered group.
Atiku emphasized that preserving the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces must remain a top priority.
“If this incident involves any legal violations by the President’s son or members of the so-called ‘Nigeria Cadet Network,’ it is imperative for security agencies to uphold the law and hold those responsible accountable,” Atiku declared.
He concluded by reiterating his commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of Nigeria’s institutions and urging swift action to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.