Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president, has condemned a “military parade” accorded Seyi, son of President Bola Tinubu.
A viral video appeared to show the president’s son inspecting a guard mounted in his honour.
In a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, Abubakar demanded an investigation into the incident, saying it was a gross violation of military tradition.
“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 signed by Paul Ibe, Abubakar’s media adviser, reads.
Abubakar said the group, identified as the ‘Nigeria Cadet Network’, is not a recognised entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He said it was “disturbing that the name ‘Cadet’, associated with young, formally trained military personnel, was exploited by civilians to tarnish the esteemed traditions of the military”.
“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’,” he said.
“To no one’s surprise, it was revealed that the group is not a legally registered entity. What is even more alarming is the brazen use of firearms by civilians in this so-called parade — at a time when illegal arms proliferation is at a dangerous high in our country.”
Abubakar said the probe should ascertain the legitimacy of the ‘Nigeria Cadet Network’ and its use of the cadet when it is not a registered entity, the legality of the firearms displayed, and the propriety of the military honours granted to the president’s son by non-commissioned civilians under the protection of security personnel.
The politician added that preserving the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces should be paramount.
“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,” Abubakar said.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters on Sunday denied knowledge of any Guards Parade held by military personnel for Seyi Tinubu, the first son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, stated that the personnel captured in a viral video are unknown to the Nigerian military.
In the video, Seyi Tinubu was seen being accorded a full Presidential honour including inspecting a Guards Parade, with personnel dressed in military uniforms.
General Gusau, who was shown a screenshot from the video, said: “They are not our personnel. We don’t dress that way. We don’t have this type of badge of rank. We don’t know them.”
