The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has distanced itself from a now viral video showcasing the moment Seyi Tinubu received a salute from the quarter guard on his arrival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The video which has become a growing sensation, attracted a lot of criticim, as many Nigerians questioned the propriety of granting such honours to a private citizen with no public office.
Reacting to the video, the Director of Defence Information Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau told PUNCH on Sunday that the personnel in the video are unknown to the Nigerian military.
“They are not our personnel. We don’t dress that way. We don’t have this type of badge of rank. We don’t know them,” Gusau said.
Reacting to the video, the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar condemned the act, describing it as a “serious breach of military tradition”.
Atiku in a statement on Sunday through his Media Aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
Atiku said: “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 further questioned the legitimacy of the military-like outfit involved, stating that the so-called group, the “Nigeria Cadet Network,” is not a recognized entity within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The presidential candidate emphasized how civilians exploited and tarnished the esteemed traditions of the military, while also noting the disturbing fact that the name “Cadet,” was associated with young, formally trained military personnel.