Military rule ruined Air Force, says Wuyep
From Abodunrin Beckley, Minna
A THUMBS down for military rule came on Wednesday from the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep as he disclosed that during the era, aircraft and equipment suffered the greatest neglect.
Supporting the view that the military should never be involved in politics, Wuyep noted that in spite of being an aberration, past military governments have never been beneficial to the very institution they claim to represent.
Wuyep, who interacted with reporters after visiting the Niger State Governor, Abdulkadir Kure, stressed that the worst destruction was meted out on the Air Force during the last 20 years of military rule.
Wuyep regretted that over 80 per cent of what should have built the strength of the Nigerian Air Force in the sub-region was grounded especially in 1988.
"Look, I inherited an Air Force on which 80 per cent of the equipment and aircraft were damaged during the military era, especially in 1988.
"The best of times for the Nigerian Air Force was during the Shagari regime when most of our aircraft were airworthy. Also, with the advent of another civilian regime, we were able to receive some boosts towards restoring our national and regional pride", he added.
According to the Air Force chief, civilian regime is obviously the best for the citizenry and the military. "As the chief accounting officer of the Force, I wish to submit that the civilian government is the best for the military. They must be allowed to go through their learning processes", he added.
Earlier, Wuyep said he was in Minna to visit the Air Force detachment established in 1991 to operate helicopter fleet.
According to Wuyep, the helicopter fleet will soon be backed up with one more aircraft to enable it play its expected role from a detachment close to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The Air chief warned that the military is not a "money-making organisation", adding that it was constitutionally created to provide security and defend the territorial integrity of the nation.
He noted that the doors of the service were open to any officer who wishes to leave for partisan politics, adding that such officers would be allowed to go.
Responding, Kure said that the state government would give immediate support to the proposed central armoured depot in Minna.
