Ndudi Anyim
The Nigerian Army has denied the allegation that Northern candidates dominated the list of successful candidates for Short Service Enlistment recently done, giving the South East fewer consideration.
The allegation was contained in a publication on March 29, by an online newspaper, Global Sentinel via its Web link, www.globalsentinelng.com.
The publication alleged that the list of successful candidates for Short Service Commission 47 Selection Board which was published on 26 March, was lopsided.
Denying the alleged lopsided consideration, the Directorate Army Public Relations described the publication as an ill-informed publication, stating that the Nigerian Army strictly complies with the Federal Character policy.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima
Said: “ An equal number of eight 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 eight 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 five States was entitled to 40 candidates. However, two extra vacancies were allocated to the geopolitical zone thereby making a total 42 candidates instead of 40. North Central for instance has seven States (FCT inclusive). Taking eight candidates from each State in geopolitical zone gives a total of 56 in addition to two 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. ”
He called on the general public including media practitioners 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.