Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the recent military parade involving Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku described the incident as a blatant violation of military tradition and called for a thorough investigation.
The New Daily Prime gathered that the Nigerian Army has denied involvement in the Quarter Guard salute rendered to Seyi during his visit to Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In a viral video, Seyi was seen receiving a salute from the Quarter Guard upon his arrival and proceeding to inspect the guards.
The visit was tied to the first annual Youth Summit and Empowerment Programme themed “Renewed Hope Agenda: A Concrete Foundation for a Prosperous Nigeria.”
The event, organised by the Ogun State chapter of the CityBoy Movement, had Seyi as its founder and grand patron. During the summit, he awarded N14 million in grants to five young tech innovators in the state.
The military display sparked widespread criticism and debate since the video surfaced online.
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned the act, describing it as “an aberration for any branch of the Armed Forces to organize a formal parade for a non-designated public figure.”
“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,” Atiku added.
Atiku raised concerns about the legitimacy of the military-like group involved, noting that the so-called “Nigeria Cadet Network” is not a recognised entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
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He highlighted the troubling misuse of the term “Cadet,” traditionally associated with young, formally trained military personnel, by civilians seeking to undermine the military’s esteemed traditions.
“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.
“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.”
Atiku urged all relevant security agencies to conduct an urgent investigation into the following critical concerns: “The legitimacy of the “Nigeria Cadet Network” and its use of the title “Cadet” when it is not a registered entity. The origin and legality of the firearms displayed by members of the Nigeria Cadet Network.
“The propriety of the military honours granted to the President’s son by non-commissioned civilians under the protection of security personnel.”
The Adamawa-born politician emphasised that safeguarding the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces is of utmost importance.
“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,” Atiku said.
