Prominent Scholars Warn Against Military Incursion into African Politics
A gathering of distinguished legal scholars and educators, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun, Prof. Tim Odiaka, Prof. Olukolade Odekunle, and Prof. Ganiyu Arinola, among others, has issued a resounding caution regarding the increasing intrusion of the military into African politics. Their unified message underscores the grave threat this trend poses to democracy across the continent.
This critical discourse took place during a special event hosted by KolaDaisi University in Ibadan, dedicated to honoring the university’s founder and Chancellor, Chief Kola Daisi, on the occasion of his upcoming 91st birthday on September 14.
The central theme of the discussion was “Contemporary Issues in West African Sub-region Military Coup d’État and Democratic Fragility.”
Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun, who holds the esteemed position of Vice-Chancellor and is a professor of Law, delivered a keynote address titled “Resurgence of Coup D’État in West African States.” In his address, he vehemently condemned the recent resurgence of military coups, primarily orchestrated by young military officers in various West African countries. He underscored the unequivocal need for advocates of democracy to oppose and reject these developments.
Olatunbosun reiterated the firm belief that there is no valid justification for military interference in the political arena. He reaffirmed that the primary responsibility of the military is to safeguard a nation’s territorial integrity and emphasized that military rule is an illegitimate form of governance.
Other prominent academic leaders, including Prof. Tim Odiaka, Prof. Olukolade Odekunle, and Prof. Ganiyu Arinola, echoed these concerns and stressed the critical importance of defending democratic values and institutions in the face of growing military interventions.
Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun, the Vice-Chancellor, emphasized the significance of academic discourse in enhancing faculty research capabilities and elevating a university’s contributions to both national and international development.
The event also featured contributions from esteemed academics in various fields, offering further insights into the pressing issues surrounding military coups and the fragility of democratic systems in the West African sub-region.
