Dragged into KADUNA APC crisis, Army threatens to sue APC chieftain

The Nigerian Army has asked the acting chairman of Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Danladi Wada, to within three days apologise to it or face legal action.

Wada was said to have alleged that the Nasir El-Rufai led government of Kaduna State used soldiers in conjunction with Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KASUPDA) to demolish a property in the state said to belong to Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi.

But reacting in a statement by Colonel AA Yusuf for Director Army Public Relations, the Army said that the allegations the APC leader made against the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, his officers and soldiers were untrue.

The Army said, “The statement is baseless and not true. The 1 Division Nigerian Army through a press release categorically states that no Nigerian Army soldier was involved in the said demolition exercise. The allegation and the attempt to drag the Nigerian Army into the issue of demolition is yet another baseless and unsubstantiated claim to malign the hardworking, loyal and professional officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army to discredit them.

“Contrary to claims, the Nigerian Army has not been involved in any illegal activity of either harassment of politicians or demolition of their properties in Kaduna and its environs.

“Despite the fact that his claims were outright false and mischievous, Alhaji Wada is yet to be remorseful over such misdeed and futile attempt to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army through such spurious allegations.

“Consequently, the Nigerian Army therefore calls on the acting chairman of Kaduna State branch of APC, Alhaji SI Danladi Wada to withdraw the statement and tender an unreserved apology to the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army within three days from today. Failure to do so, we will be obliged to take legal action against him.”

The Army’s statement is coming just as the state APC faction led by Wada has called on the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff to relieve the GOC 1 Division for meddling into partisan politics in Kaduna State.

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The group said at a press briefing in Kaduna that it was “unfortunate that Nigerian Army who is known for its discipline will descend so low to give cover to Governor El-Rufai to demolish its secretariat at 11B Sambo Road, Kaduna.”

The faction said, “The APC Kaduna State wishes to urge the Chief of Army Staff to relieve the GOC 1 Division for meddling into partisan politics by allowing his men to give cover to the governor with trucks numbering over 20 fully loaded with military personnel and carried out the shameless act, thereby bringing the military to disrepute.”

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