The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a warning to politicians to refrain from wearing military uniforms for campaign purposes. This warning was issued in a statement on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Information, DHQ, Wap Maigada who noted that some governors dress in military camouflage in their campaign posters.
The statement reads in part, “It is necessary to restate that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as a professional institution, remains apolitical and, as such, would not want to be dragged into any form of political bias.
“Accordingly, it is important to advise politicians and others to desist from the use of military uniforms and accouterments for political events and other engagements henceforth. Please note, any found culpable in this regard would be liable to prosecution.”
According to Section 251 of the Nigerian constitution, “any person who, not being a person serving in any of the armed or police forces of Nigeria, wears the uniform of any of these forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform, in such manner or in such circumstances as to be likely to bring contempt on that uniform, or employs any other person so to wear such uniform or dress is guilty of a simple offense, and is liable to imprisonment for three months.”