Who succeeds the late of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Ibrahim Attahiru?
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This is one question that has been on the lips of many in and outside military barracks since the Army Chief died in a military plane crash in Kaduna at the weekend.
Ten other military personnel died with him in the accident blamed on inclement weather.
A senior military officer has advised that the next COAS must not be below the Regular Course 35, to which the late Attahiru belonged.
Attahiru was a Major-General, prior to his appointment less than five months. There are, however, two Majors- General in the Army, who belong to Regular Courses 36 and 37.
Although the top military source acknowledged that it is the prerogative of the President to appoint a COAS, he warned that any appointee below those in the Regular Course 35, could unsettle the Army.
The officer, who did not want his name in print, added that any wrong decision that could lead to the exit of officers of the Regular Course 35 at this critical point, would be counter-productive.
His words: “Mr. President should exercise military discretion in this matter and not allow sentiments to decide his actions because the Nigerian Army is on the edge currently.
“Remember that the late COAS was appointed about five months ago and the Army is still in the process of coming to terms with the administrative and other changes that came with his appointment when this sad incident of his death came.
“If the President goes ahead to appoint the new COAS from an officer below Course 35, the effect will not be to the advantage of the Army and the on-going counter-insurgency war.
“So, the best thing to do at the moment is to allow the status quo to remain by appointing from among the late COAS course mates.
“We are in the middle of terrorism war and the Army cannot afford any internal revolt now. We need an Army that will remain disciplined and loyal to the country.”
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