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Coalition of Pro-Democracy Groups for a Better Nigeria, has described the death of former Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Chris Alli, as a big loss to the civil society organisations.
Alli, who served as Chief of Army Staff between1993 and 1994, died on Sunday morning at a military hospital in Lagos, after a brief illness.
In a statement on Monday, the National Coordinator of the group, Com Awa Bamiji, described Alli as a democrat in military uniform.
“He served under two Army Generals, Babangida and Abacha, as well as one retired General, Obasanjo. Yet, he did not believe the military system of government was the best for Nigeria as he espoused democracy in his lifetime. He did his best, risking his job as Chief of Army Staff, in supporting Civil Societies’ collective struggles for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by late Chief MKO Abiola.
“No wonder Alli wrote in his book, titled, ‘The Federal Republic of Nigerian Army: The Siege of a Nation’: “This book is not an indictment of the military of which I was a part. It is my perception of the conduct of my generation and the multifarious forces at work amongst and about them. It is not a verdict on society; rather it is an articulation of the ecstasy, the fears, the constrictions a nation in turmoil, a nation pulling itself apart.”
“It did not come as a shock when he was appointed as member of the Editorial Board of Guardian Newspaper, a position he held until his demise.
“We are all writing history of ourselves, negative or positive, while we are still alive.
“May the soul of this hero of democracy rest in peace. Adieu, The People’s General!” the statement read in part.
