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Army Chief: Tribal, Regional Factors May Delay New COAS appointment

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Barely 72 hours after the death of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru in a plane crash, there is a political dilemma over the region and likely tribe of the person that could be appointed for the Nigerian Army’s top job.

PRNigeria gathered from competent and knowledgeable sources on the ongoing appointment that government seems to be in a fix. This is because some touted people on the list happened to come from the same States or tribes of current occupants of other military and security Chiefs, making it difficult for the government to make an urgent decision on Attahiru’s successor.

Attahiru and 10 other military officers died in a plane crash on Friday, during an official visit to Kaduna State. Some retired senior security officers who are politicians are also putting pressure on the presidency to consider seniority, competence, merit and war experience and jettison ethnic and sectional sentiments in picking the next COAS.

Breaking :Chief Of Army Staff Ibrahim Attahiru Dies In Plane Crash
A retired military officer with vast intelligence background, told PRNigeria that socio-political factor may likely play a role in the choice of the candidate for the Army Chief job. He however, said Mr. President wields the discretion to pick anybody of his choice.

“Those being touted as late Attahiru’s successors are eminently qualified on account of their vast qualifications, professional discipline, instructional appointments, service command, operational experiences, and above all managerial capabilities. They are suitable, but political consideration of regions, states and tribes may likely be some of the determinant factors. “For instance, one of the latest names being pencilled down is Major General Jamil Sharham, originally of Regular Course 35 but running RC 36 seniority. He was the Sector Commander, Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta, and Brigade Commander at Baga in the North-East. Before he was appointed Commandant National Defence Academy (NDA), he was Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry and GOC 6 Division. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow at NIPSS,” the retired military officer said.

Investigation by PRNigeria revealed that the major dilemma in the choice of Sharham is the fact that he is from Kano State, where the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, hails from. A similar dilemma on tribe may play out since the present Chief of Policy and Plan (COPP), Major General Ben Ahonatu is an Igbo, like the current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor, though they are from different but neighbouring states of Anambra in South-East and Delta in South-South respectively.

General Ahanotu of Regular Course 35 and very fluent in Hausa. He was the Military Commander that captured the founder of Boko Haram, late Mohammed Yusuf and his followers, at their hideout in Maiduguri in 2009 before handing them over to the Police.

Similarly, the Army’s Chief of Operation, Major General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf is from Yobe, the state of the current acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba. Gen Yusuf of Regular Course 37 was former Force Commander, Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) and General Officer Commanding 7 Division. He also taught at Nigerian Defence College (NDC), Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), and the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC), Jaji. Last Saturday, unconfirmed reports claimed that Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, was appointed as COAS.

However, PRNigeria gathered that General Ali-Keffi was not among the more than 30 most senior military officers in the Nigerian Army. Another officer being touted is Major General AM Aliyu of Regular Course 36 from Gombe State. He is the Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army and former Director, Foreign Liaison, at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

He was responsible for processing actionable intelligence for military operations in recent years. Another officer being mentioned is Major General Faruk Yahaya of Regular Course 37 from Zamfara State. He is the current Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East and former General Officer Commanding of 1 Division. PRNigeria further gathered that there are other senior operational officers worthy of considerations because of their rich experience in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

 

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Sultan of Sokoto Urges Nigerians to Stop Criticizing Leaders and Allow God to Deal With Them

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Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar

 

Nigerians have been urged to desist from castigating their leaders and all those in authority.

This call was made to Nigerians by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III on Monday at the the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria hosted in Kaduna.

According to the Sultan, it is important that Nigerians rather than insult their leaders, they should allow God to really with them.

He also urgee Nigerians to contibue praying for their keaders and tne nation as a whole.

He further called on religious leadera accros Nigeria to quit misleadinh members of ghwir congregation.

“A lot of people say we have never had it so bad, but no matter how difficult it is, ease will come. We believe nothing lasts forever.

“Nothing bad and nothing good lasts forever. Let us intensify prayers in our congregations and encourage our followers to pray for our leaders.

“We will not castigate them; we will allow Almighty Allah to deal with them as He wishes and He will,” the Sultan notes.

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Arewa APC Merger Group Hails President Tinubu for Release of Detained minors

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The Arewa APC Merger Group has thanked President Bola Tinubu for his swift and compassionate response in ordering the release of detained minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

In a statement signed by National Coordinator Hon. Musa Mujahid Zaitawa in Abuja, the group expressed gratitude for the President’s decisive action, which has brought renewed hope to many Nigerians.

The group commended President Tinubu for showing strong leadership on the issue, noting that his actions demonstrate a commitment to justice and the well-being of Nigeria’s youth.

They emphasized that this move reassures citizens of the President’s dedication to fairness and the protection of human rights under his administration.

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The release order from President Tinubu came after the Arewa APC Merger Group took substantial steps to advocate for the detained children.

In response to reports of mistreatment, including allegations of malnutrition and poor conditions, the group provided essential food and support to the minors both at the Federal High Court in Abuja and while in custody.

This effort underscored the group’s commitment to the welfare of young Nigerians and their resolve to seek justice.

Hon. Musa Mujahid Zaitawa stated that the group is encouraged by the President’s response and considers it a positive signal of his administration’s commitment to addressing national issues with compassion and responsibility.

The Arewa APC Merger Group remains hopeful that this action will set a precedent for prioritizing the rights and well-being of Nigeria’s youth across the country.

President Tinubu’s decision to release the children reflects his administration’s acknowledgment of the calls from various stakeholders to uphold justice and safeguard the future of young Nigerians.

The Arewa APC Merger Group expressed their appreciation for this significant step, which they believe will strengthen public confidence in the government’s dedication to the rights of all citizens.

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Breaking: Court Drops Charges Against Minors

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday struck out the charges brought against a total of 119 #EndBadGovernance protesters.

All 119 protesters were arraigned on Friday, November 1 on charges bordering on Treason felony, inciting to mutiny, among others.

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The defendants were arraigned in two batches at the previous proceeding.

The first batch comprised a total of 76 protesters which included 32 minors and the second batch a total of 43 protesters.

The trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, struck out the suit following an application by the counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation, M. D Abubakar, to take over and discontinue the matter.

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