The Nigerian Army has dismissed claims of a leadership vacuum in the force due to the Chief of Army Staff being on annual leave.
This was made known in a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday in Abuja.
Nwachukwu stated that the statement was in response to “social media stories, rumours, and innuendoes” regarding the Nigerian Army. While he acknowledged that some of these stories were trivial, he emphasized that others were aimed at causing panic and confusion within the ranks and among the public.
“Specifically, many insinuations about personnel postings, promotions, and even training activities have been raised vis-a-vis the official leave of the Chief of Army Staff. There have even been insinuations that there is a leadership vacuum, with officers confused about what to do. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
“To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances. Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS, while he is away. This is not peculiar to the army as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence,” he explained.
Nwachukwu refuted the claims of a leadership vacuum as mere speculation and assured that all routine and scheduled activities within the service are proceeding as planned. In line with its Forecast of Events for 2024, the Nigerian Army recently conducted the Captain-Major Practical Promotion Examination in Akure.
He noted that the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe, announced the examination results following authorization from the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), who is currently acting for the COAS during his leave and medical checkup abroad, as per established procedures.
“Additionally, the Master Warrant Officer to Army Warrant Officer Promotion Exercise is currently ongoing in Jos. This follows a similar exercise held for Warrant Officer to Master Warrant Officer in Kaduna. The results of these exercises are expected to be released in the coming days, pending final reconciliation between the respective Corps and the Army Headquarters Department of Personnel Management,” he added.
The army spokesman clarified that it is not standard practice for the COAS to personally sign postings or promotions for officers and soldiers. Contrary to the speculation that the COAS’ absence has delayed the release of the WO-MWO promotion results, he emphasized that the appropriate departmental chiefs routinely perform these duties and are currently doing so in accordance with the COAS’ Command Philosophy.
“The Army Headquarters, therefore, enjoins the general public to remain confident in the Nigerian army and be assured that the Service remains on top of the security situations in the country and is ever ready to defend Nigeria against any aggression on its land territory.
“Meanwhile, the Army Headquarters wishes to thank all well-meaning Nigerians who have shown genuine concern about Lt. Gen. TA Lagbaja and have continued to pray for him. The Army Headquarters assures Nigerians and the international community that all land-related training, operational, and administrative activities are on course and that the COPP(A) is firmly and effectively running the affairs of the Service pending the return of the COAS,” Nwachukwu concluded.