The Minister of Defence, Bashir Salihi-Magashi has given reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya as new Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
According to him, Buhari’s consideri was more of national interest than ethnic or religious interests.
Yahaya was announced as new COAS on Thursday, following the sudden death of Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru in a plane crash at the Kaduna airport.
The appointment of Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya has attracted varying reactions especially this who described the development as nepotism and tribalism.
In a statement on Friday, Mohammad Abdulkadir, Personal Assistant to the Minister of Defence said on behalf of his principal that Yahaya was the right person for the job considering his track record of competence and successes especially in the fight against insurgency.
According to him, “The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has commended the Commander-In_Chief of the Area Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for the well thought out strategic appointment of Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya, the 22nd Chief of Army Staff as replacement for the Late Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a plane crash alongside ten others last Friday.
“The appointment of Gen Yahaya, President Buhari has expediently put national interest above ethnic and religious chauvinism by fulfilling all requirements necessary.
These include his unblemished track records of service, Professional, Command and Operational competences among other yardsticks that culminated into his emergence as most suitably qualified new Army boss.
“The Defence Minister expressed optimism in the professional pedigree of the former theatre Commander Operation “Hadin Kai” General Yahaya in sustaining the trajectory of taking offensive and aggressive campaigns to the camps, corridors and cells of the adversaries with a view to obliterating them.
“As a battle Commander with remarkable exploits and considerable experience, exposure and expertise he will be committed to the new battle plans and philosophy of Jointness among Services and other security agencies in combat which are some of the legacies of his predecessor.
“While pledging the support of the Ministry of Defence under his watch to the new Army boss in carrying out his mandate, the minister said plans are in the pipeline by the Federal Government to immortalise late General Attahiru and others who died in the plane crash.
“This according to him is aimed at immortalising them and to ensure that their sacrifices as national heroes in keeping the nation safe and secured are not in vain.”
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