Just In: Nigerian Army says it adheres to the principle of federal character – denies recruiting more Northerners

The Nigerian army has explained the discrepancy in the recruitment into its Short Service Commission 47 Course.

Recall that an online newspaper that is not NewsWireNGR had alleged nepotism in the Army, saying that the South-East states had 42 candidates and the North-Central had 58 candidates in its ongoing 47th short service combatant course 27/2021.

But the Army, in a statement on Wednesday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed Yerima, stressed that each geopolitical zone in the country was given equal representation with eight candidates selected from the comprising states.

According to the statement, the difference in the number came about because North Central has 7 states including the FCT.

The statement said: “It is pertinent to state that the Nigerian Army strictly complies with the Federal Character policy.

“Accordingly, an equal number of 8 candidates were selected from each state of the federation except in rare instances where a state did not have the required number of eligible candidates to fill its 8 vacancies.

“In such instance, the vacancy will be filled by a contiguous state from the same Geopolitical Zone.

“Following this number allocated per state, the South East which is made up of 5 States was entitled to 40 candidates.

“However, 2 extra vacancies were allocated to the geopolitical zone thereby making a total 42 candidates instead of 40. North Central for instance has 7 states (FCT inclusive).

“Taking 8 candidates from each state in geopolitical zone gives a total of 56 in addition to 2 extra vacancies as was also allocated to the South East gave the total of 58 candidates.

“It is therefore quite uncharitable and blatantly divisive for any media organisation to whip up sentiments from such a straight forward exercise conducted by the Nigerian Army in the best interest of the Nation.

“The General public including media practitioners are encouraged to always seek clarification from Army Headquarters whenever in doubt on any issue rather than rushing to publish reports that would be defamatory to the image of the Nigerian Army and injurious to Nigeria’s unity.”

RE- NORTH DOMINATES NIGERIAN ARMY RECRUITMENT

The attention of the Directorate of Army Public Relations has been drawn to an ill-informed publication of the referenced story on 29 March, 2021 by an online newspaper, Global Sentinel via its weblink

The publication alleged that the list of successful candidates for Short Service Commission 47 Selection Board which was published on 26 Mar 21 was dominated by the North while the South East had the fewest candidates. It is pertinent to state that the Nigerian Army strictly complies with the Federal Character policy.

Accordingly, an equal number of 8 candidates were selected from each state of the federation except in rare instances where a state did not have the required number of eligible candidates to fill its 8 vacancies. In such instance, the vacancy will be filled by a contiguous state from the same Geopolitical Zone.