Only Military Can Sustain Democracy — Air Marshal Badeh

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, has said that although the military thrives well in a democratic dispensation, it, too cannot survive without the support of a virile and strong military.

He made this assertion, yesterday, in Abuja while exchanging views with his Pakistani counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt who is in the country for official visit. This was just as the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim disclosed the readiness of the military to deepen democracy in Nigeria.

Congratulating the people of Pakistan on the successful transition programme after the general election, Air Marshal Badeh said, “Without democracy, things will be very difficult for us (the military), the military is the strong arm of democracy, without the military, you cannot sustain democracy.”

Air Marshal Badeh also acknowledged the warm reception, hospitality and support he received when he visited Pakistan.

Welcoming the Pakistani officer to his office, Admiral Ibrahim said, “we have resolved to deepen this democracy whatever it takes and we would not fail.”

Ibrahim said that the military authorities were not unaware of the task at hand and especially the expectation of the populace in tackling the security challenges facing the country coupled with the leadership responsibility in the sub-region.

 According to him, past leaders have done theirs and the current military leaders would not fail and added that confronting challenges facing the nation is “what we are trained for. Crisis management is what we learnt in school and now we are coping with challenges.”

Earlier, the visitor had said both Nigeria and Pakistan have many things in common and cited religion and security challenges. He said the fact that the flags of the two nations are green and white speaks volume.  He disclosed that the sanction imposed on his country that lasted for many years has helped them to be self –sufficient in many things, military inclusive. He acknowledged the leadership qualities he identified with Badeh when he visited him few months back and promised to support Nigeria in her dream of having a strong and virile military despite limited resources.