From Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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Political parties have been advised to stay out of the activities of the Nigerian army and stop using  them for political mileage.

The Olowu of Kuta in Osun and Chairman, Council of Owu Obas, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, made the remark at a news conference in his palace in Kuta, Iwo Local Government Area of the state.

Oyelude described the Nigerian Army as an institution above ethno-political and religious ills adding that Nigerians should learn to show them respect.

The traditional ruler appealed to political parties to stop politicising security issues being addressed by the army  in the interest of their parties.

He noted that opposition parties were fond of accusing incumbent government of using the military to suppress others before, during and after the general elections.

“There is no doubt that this development is unhealthy for our democracy and nation-building.

“It creates unnecessary tension in the polity, just as it also reduces the military to a dispensable tool in the hands of the political class.

Oyelude applauded the troops stressing that “I cannot but award a credit mark to our armed forces on their journey so far in taming the hydra-headed monsters known as Boko Haram terrorists, stressing that the troops need our individual and concerted support through prayers and positive comments.

“If their efforts are greeted with scornful remarks, it would naturally kill their morale and also incapacitate their spirit to fight and get the desired results.”

The monarch further urged his counterparts in the Eastern part of the country to live up to their expectations and advise Nnamdi Kalu and his IPOB members to stop their unlawful activities against the country, saying “his regular inflammatory statements are not needed at this critical time of our national life”.

He said traditional rulers in the South-east should let the IPOB leader see reasons to stop his call for a boycott of the election stressing that such comment is a huge disservice to the people of the southern region and an effort to provoke the country.