CDS expresses optimism over acting COAS’ appointment, cautions against rancour

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Friday, said the appointment of an acting Chief of Army Staff for the service is new in the history of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He warned against any form of rancour among the top brass of the Nigerian Army following the appointment of Major General Olufemi Oluyede as acting COAS.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff on Wednesday, pending the return of the substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who is on medical leave.

Oluyede’s appointment came days after the Defence Headquarters stated that appointing an acting Chief of Army Staff was not provided for in the Harmonised Armed Forces Act.

Speaking at Oluyede’s takeover ceremony on Friday, Musa noted that the appointment of an acting Chief of Army Staff had never happened in the military’s history.

He added that Oluyede would have full authority to lead the Army until President Tinubu decided otherwise.

Musa said, “I’m not sure where we are, but the event today is something that is new, that has never happened in the history of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“The President and I met with the authorities. We have decided, directed, and appointed an acting Chief of Army Staff with the full power to lead the Army until the President decides otherwise.”

While urging the top brass of the Nigerian Army to put aside any reservations regarding Oluyede’s appointment, Musa said they must support him in making Nigeria safe.

He said, “It is important that we all understand this clearly and give the acting Chief of Army Staff all the support to ensure he is successful.

“General Lagbaja is someone we all know. We all recognise him as a fine, regimented officer. He would not want any gap to occur in his absence. Whatever issues we may have in mind, whatever opinions we may hold, we must prioritise that Nigeria must survive. The Armed Forces must survive. The services must survive. That is the paramount call.

“We must make Nigeria safe. The Commander-in-Chief, in clear terms, has given us that mandate. Every time we meet, he reiterates that clearly; he does not want any rancour among us. We must work together as a team.”
Musa also called on the Principal Staff Officers to ensure that commanders fulfil their duties and support Oluyede.

He said, “Each one of us here, both individually and collectively, must ensure our commanders out there in the field are doing what they are supposed to do and that we give them the necessary support.”

In his acceptance remarks, Major General Oluyede said the event was not the usual system but “because we have an unusual situation, we have to treat it as such.”

He assured the President of his loyalty and pledged to carry out his duties wholeheartedly to allow the substantive Chief to receive proper medical care.