"If the cancer of politics is allowed to inflict the armed forces, it would be like AIDS which has no cure," said retired general Theophilus Danjuma at a military parade organised in his honor in Abuja.

Danjuma, a friend of Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was reelected in a controversial election in April, also warned against coups in the country that has witnessed at least six successful military overthrows since 1966.

"Coup making is explosive and destructive. It destroys the armed forces, it destroys the country," he said.

Danjuma has told Obasanjo that he wanted to retire from public service, according to media reports here.

Danjuma, 64, a former army chief when Obasanjo was military head of state from 1976-1979, said that coup staging has destroyed professionalism in the armed forces, the radio said.

He stressed the need for the military to help sustain democracy.

"The political class is accommodating. It is not a closed shop. It is open", unlike the military, he also said.

Nigeria returned to democractic rule in May 1999 after more than 15 years of military rule.

Obasanjo, elected into office in 1999, is scheduled to be sworn in Thursday in Abuja for another four-year term.

WAR.WIRE