Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The North East Women for Peace Forum has described as clannish and unwarranted an editorial in a national newspaper describing the Chief of Defence Staff as being a ‘meddlesome general’.
The forum in a press release signed by the Convener, Hajiya Bilikisu Goni wondered if the writer, Dr. Tayo Oke was paid for the hatchet job of bringing down the CDS by detractors who are profiting from the insurgency.
The press release said that instead of coming to the North East and see how military operations is faring, the writer was comparing Nigeria and the United States of America.
According to the forum, “As beneficiaries of ongoing military operations in the Northeast, we members of the North East Women for Peace Forum are in a better position to reply what we feel is a deliberate attempt to misinform Nigerians.
“Before asking Dr. Oke some questions, we plead with him to find out what leaders, politicians and the people, especially women that are gradually returning to their means of livelihood are saying about ongoing military operations in the region and the present leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“He seems to be angry that the military is dominating the airwaves. Does he want the enemies of the country or those benefitting from the security challenges to dominate?.
“Or is the zeal with which the CDS is eager for Nigeria to return to normalcy infuriating enemies of the country?
“Which Nigerian is not zealous at this time, and eager for the security challenges to end, talk more of the Head of the entire military!!
“Is Dr. Tayo Oke aware that life is gradually returning to normal in the North East? Is he aware of the gradual return of the Chibok girls?
“Has Dr. Oke enquired why their is mass surrender of insurgents and their family members?
“Is Dr. Tayo Oke aware that the synergy which the present CDS is championing is yielding positive results despite the challenges? Has he ever seen sincere collaboration amongst the services as it is in the present dispensation?
“We feel he should do an analysis of what was, and is now obtained in the running of the military.
The group wondered why the writer is against the presence of the military in the society.
“We are very sure Dr. Oke will be at the forefront of asking questions if the military is not seen in the streets supporting ongoing operations to deal with the security challenges.
“The North East Women for Peace Forum is confused about what the writer wants. We are very sure no well meaning political leader will refer to the CDS as a meddlesome general.
“If Dr. Oke will sincerely answer our questions, he will discover that his entire write up was indeed unwarranted, untimely and illogical,” the forum added.
