Citizens are wondering whether President Muhammadu Buhari will appoint an Igbo as new Army Chief to replace late Gen. Attahiru.
Lt-General Ibrahim Attahiru, alongside 10 other military officers, died in a plane crash near Kaduna Airport on Friday 21 May.
Based on seniority and other relevant qualifications, Anambra-born Maj-Gen. Ben Ahanotu, is considered as a perfect fit for the job.
In addition to his seniority, he checks out on other key considerations, including extensive knowledge of military operations and intelligence.
Gen. Ahanotu, current chief of army operations, is the most senior general from Regular Course 35 of Nigerian Defense Academy.
Next to him in seniority, military sources said, is Maj-Gen. AM Aliyu from Gombe State who attended Regular Course 36.
However, the President has discretion to appoint anyone from the ranks of senior officers, regardless of seniority or other considerations.
Consequently, there were unconfirmed speculations that the GOC of 1 Division Kaduna, Maj-Gen. Danjuma Alli-Keffi, has been given the job.
However, a public relations firm quoted an expert who said such an outcome will lead to retirement of at least 30 senior brilliant army officers that the nation needs at this moment.
How Army Chief Attahiru died
Attahiru, late Chief of Army Staff, died in an air crash barely four months after being appointed by the President. An Air Force plane carrying him from Abuja crashed near Kaduna Airport, equally killing 10 other military officers on board.
He alongside his colleagues were buried the following day, 22 May, at the Military Cemetery in Abuja, the Federal Capital.
President Buhari ordered seven days of mourning for the fallen officers following public criticisms of his absence at the burial ceremony,
All flags are to fly at half-mast, the Presidency said in a statement to minimize the PR gaffe.
Among Attahiru’s prior appointments, Enugu Metro previously reported that he was General Officer Commanding the Enugu-based 82nd Army Division.
He was fingered as a brutal executor of his Commander-in-Chief’s directive to deal with IPOB youths promoting Igbo secessionist movement.
Citizens are left wondering whether President Muhammadu Buhari will go against the grain to appoint an Igbo as new Army Chief to replace late Gen. Attahiru.
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